Concept: Nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) are biopolymers where the backbone consists of alternating sugar and phosphate groups.
• RNA (Ribonucleic Acid): Contains a five-carbon sugar (pentose) called ribose.
• DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid): Contains 2-deoxyribose, which lacks an oxygen atom at the second carbon position compared to ribose.
• Cyclic Form: In these biopolymers, the sugar exists in the furanose (5-membered ring) form and specifically the \(\beta\) configuration.
Step 1: Distinguish between RNA and DNA sugars.
The name "Ribonucleic Acid" itself identifies the sugar as ribose. Specifically, it is \(\beta\)-D-ribofuranose, often referred to simply as \(\beta\)-D-ribose in multiple-choice contexts.
Step 2: Verify other options.
Option (A) is for DNA. Options (B), (C), and (E) are hexoses (6-carbon sugars) involved in energy metabolism (Galactose, Fructose, Glucose) rather than the structural backbone of nucleic acids.