Suppose you obtain four different samples of nucleic acids.You analyze the nitrogenous base composition of each one and get the results in the table below (the numbers indicate percentage of each nitrogenous base in the samples). Which of these nucleic acids is/are single-stranded RNA?
A) A
B) B
C) C
D) D
E) Both C and D

Question

Suppose you obtain four different samples of nucleic acids.You analyze the nitrogenous base composition of each one and get the results in the table below (the numbers indicate percentage of each nitrogenous base in the samples).  Which of these nucleic acids is/are single-stranded RNA?
A) A 
B) B 
C) C 
D) D 
E) Both C and D

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The only way to determine if a nucleic acid is single-stranded RNA based on nitrogenous base composition alone is to look for an abundance of uracil (U), as RNA contains U instead of thymine (T) like DNA. Only samples C and D have a percentage of U greater than 30%, indicating they likely contain RNA.

Suppose You Obtain Four Different Samples of Nucleic Acids