Chapter 9: Problem 11

What are the structural differences between (a) purines and pyrimidines, and (b) ribose and deoxyribose sugars?

Short Answer

Expert verified

Answer: The primary structural difference between ribose and deoxyribose sugars lies in the presence of an oxygen atom on the second carbon of the sugar ring. Ribose has a hydroxyl group (-OH) attached to the second carbon (C2), while deoxyribose has a hydrogen atom instead of a hydroxyl group at the C2 position.

Step by step solution

1. Understand Purines and Pyrimidines

Purines and pyrimidines are two types of nitrogenous bases found in nucleic acids, which are essential for forming DNA and RNA. Purines include adenine (A) and guanine (G), while pyrimidines include cytosine (C), thymine (T), and uracil (U).

2. Structural Differences between Purines and Pyrimidines

Purines and pyrimidines differ in their molecular structures. Purines are composed of a double ring structure, including one six-membered ring of carbon and nitrogen atoms connected to a five-membered ring of nitrogen and carbon atoms. Pyrimidines, on the other hand, have a single six-membered ring containing carbon and nitrogen atoms.

3. Understand Ribose and Deoxyribose Sugars

Ribose and deoxyribose are two types of pentose sugars found in nucleic acids. Ribose is present in RNA molecules, while deoxyribose is a component of DNA molecules. Both sugars have a five-carbon structure with a furanose ring.

4. Structural Differences between Ribose and Deoxyribose Sugars

The primary structural difference between ribose and deoxyribose lies in the presence of an oxygen atom on the second carbon of the sugar ring. In ribose, the second carbon (C2) has a hydroxyl group (-OH) attached to it, while in deoxyribose, the second carbon (C2) has a hydrogen atom instead of a hydroxyl group, hence the name "deoxyribose."

Summary

To summarize, purines and pyrimidines have different molecular structures, with purines having a double ring structure and pyrimidines having a single ring. Ribose and deoxyribose sugars have a primary structural difference in the presence of an oxygen atom on the second carbon of the sugar ring, ribose having -OH group and deoxyribose having -H group at C2 position.

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What are the structural differences between (a) purines and pyrimidines, and (b) ribose and deoxyribose sugars?

Short Answer

Step by step solution

1. Understand Purines and Pyrimidines

2. Structural Differences between Purines and Pyrimidines

3. Understand Ribose and Deoxyribose Sugars

4. Structural Differences between Ribose and Deoxyribose Sugars

Summary

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