A chemical that you are working with has the elements carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and phosphorus. In addition, ribose sugar is within its structure. What kind of compound is this molecule?
A) carbohydrate
B) lipid
C) protein
D) salt
E) nucleic acid

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The presence of ribose sugar and the five elements listed suggests the molecule is a nucleic acid, most likely either DNA or RNA. Carbohydrates typically consist of only carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, while lipids (fats) do not contain nitrogen, phosphorus, or ribose sugar. Proteins do contain these elements, but do not have ribose sugar in their structure. Salts are compounds formed from an acid and a base, and do not typically contain carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, or phosphorus.

A Chemical That You Are Working with Has the Elements