Which molecule contains the sugar ribose and is typically single-stranded?

Which molecule contains the sugar ribose and is typically single-stranded?

• A. RNA
• B. DNA
• C. Protein
• D. Carbohydrate

Answer: (A)

Ribose is the five-carbon sugar used in RNA. RNA is typically single-stranded, which allows it to fold into diverse shapes and perform roles in coding, catalysis (ribozymes), and regulation. In contrast, DNA contains the sugar deoxyribose and is usually double-stranded, forming the classic helix. Proteins are made from amino acids and do not have a sugar backbone, and carbohydrates encompass a broad range of sugar-containing molecules that are not defined by being single-stranded nucleic acids. So the molecule described—one that contains ribose and is typically single-stranded—is RNA.

Ribose is the five-carbon sugar used in RNA. RNA is typically single-stranded, which allows it to fold into diverse shapes and perform roles in coding, catalysis (ribozymes), and regulation. In contrast, DNA contains the sugar deoxyribose and is usually double-stranded, forming the classic helix. Proteins are made from amino acids and do not have a sugar backbone, and carbohydrates encompass a broad range of sugar-containing molecules that are not defined by being single-stranded nucleic acids. So the molecule described—one that contains ribose and is typically single-stranded—is RNA.