Final answer:
Ribose in RNA contains a hydroxyl group at the 2' carbon unlike the hydrogen found at the same position in deoxyribose of DNA, affecting their structure and function.
Step-by-step explanation:
How Ribose (RNA) differs from Deoxyribose (DNA) can be explained by looking at the structure of their sugar components. Ribose, found in RNA, has a hydroxyl group at the 2' carbon, while deoxyribose in DNA has a hydrogen atom at the same position. This difference is significant because it affects the overall structure and function of the nucleic acids; DNA with its deoxyribose is able to form a stable double helix structure, whereas RNA with ribose is typically single-stranded. Furthermore, this structural difference contributes to RNA's generally more reactive and less stable nature compared to DNA.