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Ribose and deoxyribose are both found in nucleic acids. The difference between ribose and deoxyribose is that: A. Deoxyribose has one less oxygen atom. B. Deoxyribose is found in DNA, whereas ribose is found in RNA. C. Ribose is a pentose sugar, whereas deoxyribose is a hexose sugar. D. Both A and B are true. E. All of the above are true.
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Answer

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Step 1:
Let's solve this step by step:

Step 2:
: Understand the Chemical Structure

Ribose and deoxyribose are both pentose sugars (5 -carbon sugars) with a slightly different chemical structure.

Step 3:
: Examine the Oxygen Difference

\text{Ribose has the molecular formula } \mathrm{C}_{5}\mathrm{H}_{10}\mathrm{O}_{5}
\text{Deoxyribose has the molecular formula } \mathrm{C}_{5}\mathrm{H}_{10}\mathrm{O}_{4} The key difference is that deoxyribose has one less oxygen atom compared to ribose, specifically at the 2' carbon position.

Step 4:
: Analyze Nucleic Acid Locations

- Ribose is the sugar found in RNA (Ribonucleic Acid) - Deoxyribose is the sugar found in DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid)

Step 5:
: Evaluate Sugar Classification

Both ribose and deoxyribose are pentose sugars, NOT hexose sugars.

Step 6:
: Determine the Correct Answer

Statements A and B are both true: - Deoxyribose has one less oxygen atom - Deoxyribose is found in DNA, whereas ribose is found in RNA

Final Answer

Both A and B are true. The key points are: 1. Deoxyribose has one less oxygen atom than ribose 2. Deoxyribose is the sugar in DNA, ribose is the sugar in RNA 3. Both are pentose sugars