Which sugar is found in RNA?

• A. Galactose
• B. Glucose
• C. Ribose
• D. Deoxyribose

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that RNA (ribonucleic acid) is a nucleic acid composed of nucleotides, each containing a sugar, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base.
2. Recall that the sugar component in RNA is a pentose sugar, meaning it has five carbon atoms.
3. Differentiate between the sugars listed: Galactose and Glucose are hexose sugars (six carbons), while Ribose and Deoxyribose are pentose sugars (five carbons).
4. Recognize that Ribose has a hydroxyl group (-OH) attached to the 2' carbon, whereas Deoxyribose lacks this hydroxyl group at the 2' carbon (hence 'deoxy').
5. Since RNA contains the sugar with the hydroxyl group at the 2' carbon, identify Ribose as the sugar found in RNA.