Question

While looking at a cell under a microscope, a scientist is able to see a biological molecule. This molecule is a nucleic acid with a ladder structure and contains the nitrogenous bases adenine, thymine, cytosine, and guanine. Based on this information, what conclusion can the scientist draw regarding this nucleic acid? (2 points) The nucleic acid is RNA and would be found in the cell's nucleus. The nucleic acid is RNA and would be found in the cytoplasm. The nucleic acid is DNA and would be found in the cytoplasm. The nucleic acid is DNA and would be found in the cell's nucleus.

Answer 1

The scientist can conclude that the molecule is DNA based on the described structure and nitrogenous bases; therefore, it would be found in the cell's nucleus.

Step-by-step explanation:

Based on the description of the nucleic acid as having a ladder structure with the nitrogenous bases adenine, thymine, cytosine, and guanine, the scientist can conclude that the nucleic acid is DNA. The presence of thymine instead of uracil, which is found in RNA, is a distinguishing feature. Furthermore, the iconic double helix shape implies that the molecule is DNA. Since the molecule is DNA, it would be found primarily within the cell's nucleus, as DNA contains the genetic blueprint and resides in the nucleus to be protected while coordinating the cell's activities including protein synthesis.

Answer 2

The nucleic acid is DNA in the nucleus. You can eliminate RNA right away because there is no uracil. DNA is too big to leave the nucleus. In prokaryotic cells it may be in the cytoplasm, but it is circular in nature, not in a double helix.