Identify the structural components of RNA and DNA. Both RNA and DNA are nucleic acids that consist of a sugar-phosphate backbone and nitrogenous bases.
Understand the difference in the sugar component between RNA and DNA. RNA contains ribose sugar, while DNA contains deoxyribose sugar.
Ribose is a five-carbon sugar with the chemical formula C₅H₁₀O₅. It has a hydroxyl group (-OH) attached to the 2' carbon.
Deoxyribose, found in DNA, is similar to ribose but lacks one oxygen atom at the 2' carbon, making its formula C₅H₁₀O₄.
Conclude that the sugar distinguishing RNA from DNA is ribose, as it is present in RNA and not in DNA.