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Which statement best explains the chemical differences between DNA and RNA? (a) DNA has two different sugars in its sugar-phosphate backbone, but RNA only has one. (b) Thymine is one of the DNA bases, whereas RNA's corresponding base is thymine minus a methyl group. (c) The RNA sugar-phosphate backbone contains fewer oxygen atoms than DNA's backbone. (d) DNA forms double helices but RNA cannot.

Short Answer

Expert verified
The best statement that explains the chemical differences between DNA and RNA is (b): "Thymine is one of the DNA bases, whereas RNA's corresponding base is thymine minus a methyl group." This statement highlights the differences in nitrogenous bases, specifically the presence of uracil in RNA, which is a key chemical difference between the two molecules.

Step by step solution

01

Overview of DNA and RNA structures

DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) and RNA (ribonucleic acid) are both nucleic acids that store genetic information. They share a three-component structure, consisting of a phosphate group, a sugar molecule, and a nitrogenous base. The key differences between DNA and RNA lie in the sugar and nitrogenous base components.
02

Analyze statement (a)

Statement (a) claims that DNA has two different sugars in its sugar-phosphate backbone, while RNA only has one. This statement is incorrect. Both DNA and RNA contain only one type of sugar; DNA has deoxyribose and RNA has ribose.
03

Analyze statement (b)

Statement (b) focuses on the nitrogenous bases, stating that thymine is present in DNA, while RNA contains a similar base with one less methyl group. This statement is accurate; thymine is found in DNA, while RNA contains uracil, which is identical to thymine but lacks a methyl group.
04

Analyze statement (c)

Statement (c) states that the RNA sugar-phosphate backbone contains fewer oxygen atoms than DNA's backbone. This statement is incorrect; RNA actually contains more oxygen atoms in its backbone due to the presence of the hydroxyl group on the ribose sugar.
05

Analyze statement (d)

Statement (d) says that DNA forms double helices but RNA cannot. This statement is partially correct, as DNA does form a double helix structure, while RNA usually forms a single-stranded structure. However, RNA can also form complex secondary and tertiary structures, including double-stranded regions. Thus, this statement does not focus on the chemical differences between DNA and RNA.
06

Select the best statement

Based on the analysis of each statement, the best explanation of the chemical differences between DNA and RNA is found in statement (b): "Thymine is one of the DNA bases, whereas RNA's corresponding base is thymine minus a methyl group." This statement addresses both the differences in nitrogenous bases (key components of nucleic acids) and the presence of uracil in RNA, which is a direct chemical difference between the two molecules.

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