Chapter 23, Problem 81A

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The nucleic acid structure shown below should be classified as DNA and RNA along with explanation.

Concept introduction:

Nucleic acids are large biomolecules or biopolymers which are essential to different forms of file. Two major types of nucleic acid which are found in living organisms are: DNA and RNA.

Answer to Problem 81A

The given nucleic acid structure is classified as RNA.

Explanation of Solution

DNA stands for deoxyribonucleic acid which contains five carbon sugar, a nitrogen base and a phosphate group. It stores the biological information or gene information in a sequence of four bases of nucleic acid: Adenine, cytosine, thymine and guanine. DNA has a structure of double helix. It also stores the replicate genetic information.

RNA stands for ribonucleic acid which converts the information stored in DNA into various proteins. These proteins help in the development of the functioning of a cell. It stores the biological information or gene information in a sequence of four bases of nucleic acid: Adenine, cytosine, uracil and guanine. RNA has a structure of single-stranded.

Now, according to the given structure, the bases are adenine, cytosine, uracil and guanine. These bases are present in RNA. Also, the figure shows single strand structure which is not possible for DNA as it has double helix structure.

Hence, the given nucleic acid structure is classified as RNA.