Which statement correctly compares nucleic acids and carbohydrates?

• A. Nucleic acids and carbohydrates both form double helical structures.
• B. Carbohydrates contain nitrogen in their structure, whereas nucleic acids do not.
• C. Nucleic acids store genetic information, while carbohydrates primarily serve as energy sources.
• D. Both nucleic acids and carbohydrates are composed of amino acids as their monomers.

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Begin by identifying the primary functions of nucleic acids and carbohydrates. Nucleic acids, such as DNA and RNA, are responsible for storing and transmitting genetic information. Carbohydrates, on the other hand, primarily serve as energy sources and structural components in cells.
2. Step 2: Analyze the structural composition of nucleic acids and carbohydrates. Nucleic acids are composed of nucleotides as their monomers, which include a sugar, phosphate group, and nitrogenous base. Carbohydrates are composed of monosaccharides (simple sugars) as their monomers, such as glucose and fructose.
3. Step 3: Evaluate the claim about double helical structures. Double helical structures are characteristic of DNA, a type of nucleic acid. Carbohydrates do not form double helical structures; instead, they can form linear or branched structures depending on their type.
4. Step 4: Address the claim about nitrogen presence. Nucleic acids contain nitrogen in their nitrogenous bases (adenine, guanine, cytosine, thymine, and uracil). Carbohydrates, however, do not typically contain nitrogen in their structure unless modified (e.g., glycoproteins).
5. Step 5: Clarify the claim about monomers. Nucleic acids are composed of nucleotides, not amino acids. Carbohydrates are composed of monosaccharides, not amino acids. Amino acids are the monomers of proteins, not nucleic acids or carbohydrates.