Question

The difference between a ribonucleotide and a deoxyribonucleotide is_____.

• A. Deoxyribonucleotide has an -- H instead of an --OH at C-2.
• B. Deoxyribonucleotide has an $\alpha$ configuration; ribonucleotide has the $\beta$ configuration; at C-1.
• C. Ribonucleotide has an extra --OH at C-4.
• D. Ribonucleotide has more structural flexibility than deoxyribonucleotide.

Answer 1

The correct option is A Deoxyribonucleotide has an -- H instead of an --OH at C-2.

A deoxyribonucleotide and a ribonucleotide are both formed by a sugar moiety, attached to a nitrogenous base and one or more phosphate groups. If the sugar present in the nucleotide is ribose sugar, it is a ribonucleotide. Whereas if the sugar present is derived from ribose by deoxygenation of the the -OH on the C-2, it is called a deoxyribose sugar and this moiety combines with the nitrogenous base and phosphate groups to form the deoxyribonucleotide.