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Explain why scuba divers use air diluted with helium to avoid the painful condition known as 'bends

1. Explain why scuba divers use air diluted with helium to avoid the painful condition known as 'bends'. 1. समझाइए कि स्कूबा डाइवर्स 'बेंड्स' नामक दर्दनाक स्थिति से बचने के लिए हीलियम से पतली की गई हवा का उपयोग क्यों करते हैं। +
Detailed Answer
Scuba divers breathe compressed air while diving deep underwater. This air usually contains nitrogen and oxygen. At great depths, the surrounding pressure becomes very high.

According to Henry's law, the solubility of a gas in a liquid increases when the pressure of that gas increases. Therefore, under high pressure, more nitrogen from the breathing air dissolves in the diver's blood and body tissues.
What happens during rapid ascent?
When a diver returns to the surface too quickly, the external pressure decreases rapidly. The nitrogen dissolved in the blood and tissues then comes out of solution and forms tiny gas bubbles.

These nitrogen bubbles can block blood vessels and damage tissues. They may cause severe pain in joints and muscles, breathing difficulty, dizziness, and other serious symptoms. This condition is called decompression sickness, commonly known as the 'bends'.
Why is Helium used?
Helium is used instead of a large proportion of nitrogen because helium is much less soluble in blood and body tissues than nitrogen.

Therefore, when helium is used in the breathing mixture, much less inert gas dissolves in the diver's tissues at high pressure.

During ascent, there is consequently a much smaller tendency for gas bubbles to form.
High Pressure → More N₂ dissolves in tissues
Rapid Ascent → N₂ bubbles form → Bends

Helium mixture → Less dissolved inert gas → Lower risk of bends
Why not simply use pure oxygen?
Pure oxygen is not normally used for deep diving because oxygen itself can become toxic at sufficiently high partial pressures. Therefore, specially prepared breathing mixtures such as helium–oxygen (Heliox) may be used for deep diving.

Helium is also chemically inert and has a low density, which makes breathing easier at great depths.
Role of Henry's Law
Henry's law explains the basic reason behind the bends:

At constant temperature, the solubility of a gas in a liquid is directly proportional to the partial pressure of that gas above the liquid.
C ∝ P
or
C = kP
Final Answer
Scuba divers use helium-diluted air because helium is less soluble in blood and tissues than nitrogen. At high pressure, less helium dissolves in the body, and during ascent there is less formation of gas bubbles. This reduces the risk of decompression sickness, commonly called the 'bends'.
विस्तृत उत्तर
स्कूबा डाइवर्स जब पानी के अंदर गहराई तक जाते हैं, तो वे संपीडित हवा (compressed air) में सांस लेते हैं। इस हवा में मुख्यतः नाइट्रोजन और ऑक्सीजन होती है। अधिक गहराई पर पानी का दबाव बहुत अधिक हो जाता है।

हेनरी के नियम (Henry's Law) के अनुसार किसी द्रव में गैस की विलेयता उस गैस के आंशिक दाब के बढ़ने पर बढ़ती है। इसलिए अधिक दबाव पर सांस लेने वाली हवा का अधिक नाइट्रोजन रक्त और शरीर के ऊतकों में घुल जाता है।
तेजी से ऊपर आने पर क्या होता है?
यदि गोताखोर बहुत तेजी से पानी की सतह की ओर आता है, तो बाहरी दबाव तेजी से कम हो जाता है। शरीर के ऊतकों और रक्त में घुला हुआ नाइट्रोजन गैस के रूप में बाहर निकलने लगता है और छोटे-छोटे बुलबुले बना सकता है।

ये नाइट्रोजन के बुलबुले रक्त वाहिकाओं को अवरुद्ध कर सकते हैं और ऊतकों को नुकसान पहुँचा सकते हैं। इससे जोड़ों और मांसपेशियों में तेज दर्द, चक्कर, सांस लेने में कठिनाई तथा अन्य गंभीर समस्याएँ हो सकती हैं। इस स्थिति को Decompression Sickness या सामान्य रूप से 'Bends' कहते हैं।
हीलियम का उपयोग क्यों किया जाता है?
हीलियम का उपयोग नाइट्रोजन के एक बड़े भाग के स्थान पर किया जाता है क्योंकि हीलियम रक्त और शरीर के ऊतकों में नाइट्रोजन की तुलना में बहुत कम घुलता है।

इसलिए उच्च दबाव पर शरीर में कम मात्रा में inert gas घुलती है। जब गोताखोर ऊपर आता है, तो गैस के बुलबुले बनने की संभावना कम हो जाती है।
अधिक दबाव → अधिक N₂ ऊतकों में घुलता है
तेजी से ऊपर आना → N₂ के बुलबुले → Bends

Helium mixture → कम घुली हुई inert gas → Bends का कम जोखिम
शुद्ध ऑक्सीजन का उपयोग क्यों नहीं?
बहुत अधिक गहराई पर ऑक्सीजन का आंशिक दाब बढ़ जाता है। पर्याप्त अधिक partial pressure पर ऑक्सीजन toxic प्रभाव उत्पन्न कर सकती है। इसलिए deep diving में उपयुक्त breathing mixtures, जैसे Heliox (helium + oxygen), का उपयोग किया जा सकता है।

हीलियम एक रासायनिक रूप से निष्क्रिय गैस है और इसकी density कम होने के कारण अधिक गहराई पर सांस लेना भी अपेक्षाकृत आसान होता है।
हेनरी के नियम की भूमिका
हेनरी का नियम bends को समझने में महत्वपूर्ण है। इसके अनुसार स्थिर तापमान पर किसी द्रव में गैस की विलेयता उस गैस के आंशिक दाब के समानुपाती होती है।
C ∝ P
या
C = kP
अंतिम उत्तर
स्कूबा डाइवर्स हीलियम से मिश्रित हवा का उपयोग इसलिए करते हैं क्योंकि हीलियम नाइट्रोजन की तुलना में रक्त और ऊतकों में कम घुलता है। अधिक दबाव पर शरीर में कम inert gas घुलती है और ऊपर आते समय गैस के बुलबुले बनने की संभावना कम हो जाती है। इससे Decompression Sickness या 'Bends' का खतरा कम होता है।
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30 Related MCQs 30 संबंधित बहुविकल्पीय प्रश्न
1. The painful condition commonly known as 'bends' is:
A. Hypothermia
B. Decompression sickness
C. Heat stroke
D. Anaemia
Answer: B. Decompression sickness
2. Which gas mainly causes the bends?
A. Oxygen
B. Hydrogen
C. Nitrogen
D. Helium
Answer: C. Nitrogen
3. Which law explains the increased solubility of nitrogen at high pressure?
A. Boyle's law
B. Charles' law
C. Henry's law
D. Graham's law
Answer: C. Henry's law
4. According to Henry's law, gas solubility is proportional to:
A. Temperature only
B. Partial pressure of gas
C. Volume of container
D. Molecular mass only
Answer: B. Partial pressure of gas
5. At greater underwater depth, pressure:
A. Decreases
B. Remains zero
C. Increases
D. Becomes negative
Answer: C. Increases
6. At high pressure, more nitrogen tends to:
A. Escape from blood
B. Dissolve in tissues
C. React chemically with water
D. Become oxygen
Answer: B. Dissolve in tissues
7. The gas used to replace much of nitrogen in deep-diving mixtures is:
A. Carbon dioxide
B. Helium
C. Chlorine
D. Neon
Answer: B. Helium
8. Helium is preferred because it is relatively:
A. Highly reactive
B. Toxic
C. Inert
D. Combustible
Answer: C. Inert
9. Helium is less soluble in body tissues than:
A. Nitrogen
B. Oxygen
C. Hydrogen
D. Fluorine
Answer: A. Nitrogen
10. Rapid ascent from deep water causes pressure to:
A. Increase rapidly
B. Decrease rapidly
C. Remain constant
D. Become infinite
Answer: B. Decrease rapidly
11. During rapid ascent, dissolved nitrogen may form:
A. Solid particles
B. Gas bubbles
C. Salts
D. Water droplets
Answer: B. Gas bubbles
12. Gas bubbles formed during decompression can:
A. Improve circulation
B. Block blood vessels
C. Increase oxygen production
D. Produce water
Answer: B. Block blood vessels
13. A mixture of helium and oxygen is called:
A. Nitrox
B. Heliox
C. Syngas
D. Producer gas
Answer: B. Heliox
14. Helium has a relatively:
A. High density
B. Low density
C. Very high toxicity
D. High reactivity
Answer: B. Low density
15. Which gas is chemically inert?
A. Helium
B. Oxygen
C. Chlorine
D. Hydrogen
Answer: A. Helium
16. The main gas responsible for nitrogen narcosis is:
A. Nitrogen
B. Helium
C. Oxygen
D. Argon
Answer: A. Nitrogen
17. The solubility of a gas in a liquid generally increases when pressure:
A. Increases
B. Decreases
C. Becomes zero
D. Is irrelevant
Answer: A. Increases
18. Henry's law is related to:
A. Solubility of gases in liquids
B. Atomic radius
C. Ionization energy
D. Chemical equilibrium only
Answer: A. Solubility of gases in liquids
19. The concentration of dissolved gas is represented by:
A. C
B. P only
C. T only
D. V only
Answer: A. C
20. The Henry's law relation can be written as:
A. C = kP
B. PV = nRT
C. E = mc²
D. P = F/A
Answer: A. C = kP
21. Why is pure oxygen not generally used for deep diving?
A. It is always insoluble
B. High oxygen partial pressure can become toxic
C. It has no oxygen atoms
D. It freezes immediately
Answer: B. High oxygen partial pressure can become toxic
22. Helium is classified as a:
A. Noble gas
B. Halogen
C. Alkali metal
D. Chalcogen
Answer: A. Noble gas
23. Helium belongs to:
A. Group 1
B. Group 2
C. Group 17
D. Group 18
Answer: D. Group 18
24. The 'bends' are primarily associated with:
A. Rapid decompression
B. Slow heating
C. Freezing
D. Low humidity
Answer: A. Rapid decompression
25. Which factor determines the amount of gas dissolved according to Henry's law?
A. Partial pressure
B. Atomic number
C. Neutron number
D. Crystal structure
Answer: A. Partial pressure
26. Deep-sea divers experience higher pressure mainly because of:
A. Water column above them
B. Atmospheric heating
C. Sunlight
D. Wind
Answer: A. Water column above them
27. Which mixture may be used for deep diving?
A. Helium + oxygen
B. Chlorine + oxygen
C. Fluorine + oxygen
D. Hydrogen + chlorine
Answer: A. Helium + oxygen
28. The bubbles responsible for decompression sickness are mainly:
A. Nitrogen bubbles
B. Helium crystals
C. Oxygen solids
D. Water bubbles
Answer: A. Nitrogen bubbles
29. Which property of helium makes it useful as a deep-diving gas?
A. High chemical reactivity
B. Low density and low solubility compared with nitrogen
C. High toxicity
D. Ability to burn
Answer: B. Low density and low solubility compared with nitrogen
30. The best explanation for using helium in deep-diving breathing mixtures is:
A. It increases nitrogen absorption
B. It reduces the amount of nitrogen dissolving in tissues
C. It produces oxygen inside the lungs
D. It increases water pressure
Answer: B. It reduces the amount of nitrogen dissolving in tissues
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Why is molality (m) preferred over molarity (M) when expressing concentrations at varying temperatures?

1. Why is molality (m) preferred over molarity (M) when expressing concentrations at varying temperatures? 1. विभिन्न तापमानों पर सांद्रता व्यक्त करते समय मोलैलिटी (m) को मोलैरिटी (M) की अपेक्षा क्यों प्राथमिकता दी जाती है? +
Detailed Answer
Molality (m) is preferred over molarity (M) when concentration needs to be compared at different temperatures because molality depends on the mass of the solvent, whereas molarity depends on the volume of the solution.
Molality = Number of moles of solute / Mass of solvent in kg

m = n / W
Molarity = Number of moles of solute / Volume of solution in litre

M = n / V
Why is Molality Temperature Independent?
Temperature can change the volume of a substance because of thermal expansion or contraction. Therefore, the volume of a solution may change when temperature changes.

Since molarity is based on the volume of solution, its value may change with temperature.

However, the mass of solvent does not appreciably change with temperature. Therefore, molality remains essentially constant with temperature.

Hence, molality is preferred when concentration has to be expressed or compared at varying temperatures.
Key Difference
Molality: Based on mass of solvent → essentially independent of temperature.

Molarity: Based on volume of solution → changes with temperature.
Conclusion
Molality is preferred over molarity for temperature-dependent studies because mass remains essentially constant with temperature, whereas the volume of a solution changes with temperature.
विस्तृत उत्तर
मोलैलिटी (m) को मोलैरिटी (M) की अपेक्षा विभिन्न तापमानों पर सांद्रता व्यक्त करने के लिए अधिक उपयुक्त माना जाता है, क्योंकि मोलैलिटी विलायक के द्रव्यमान पर आधारित होती है, जबकि मोलैरिटी विलयन के आयतन पर आधारित होती है।
मोलैलिटी = विलेय के मोल / विलायक का द्रव्यमान (kg)

m = n / W
मोलैरिटी = विलेय के मोल / विलयन का आयतन (L)

M = n / V
मोलैलिटी तापमान पर निर्भर क्यों नहीं होती?
तापमान बदलने पर पदार्थों के आयतन में प्रसार या संकुचन हो सकता है। इसलिए विलयन का आयतन तापमान के साथ बदल सकता है।

चूँकि मोलैरिटी विलयन के आयतन पर निर्भर करती है, इसलिए तापमान बदलने पर इसकी मात्रा बदल सकती है।

इसके विपरीत, विलायक का द्रव्यमान तापमान बदलने पर सामान्यतः नहीं बदलता। इसलिए मोलैलिटी तापमान से लगभग स्वतंत्र रहती है।

इसी कारण अलग-अलग तापमानों पर सांद्रता की तुलना करने के लिए मोलैलिटी अधिक विश्वसनीय है।
मुख्य अंतर
मोलैलिटी: विलायक के द्रव्यमान पर आधारित → तापमान से लगभग स्वतंत्र।

मोलैरिटी: विलयन के आयतन पर आधारित → तापमान के साथ बदल सकती है।
निष्कर्ष
विभिन्न तापमानों पर सांद्रता की तुलना के लिए मोलैलिटी को प्राथमिकता दी जाती है क्योंकि द्रव्यमान तापमान से लगभग अपरिवर्तित रहता है, जबकि विलयन का आयतन तापमान के साथ बदल सकता है।
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30 Related MCQs 30 संबंधित बहुविकल्पीय प्रश्न
1. Which concentration term is independent of temperature?
A. Molarity
B. Molality
C. Normality
D. Volume percentage
Answer: B. Molality
2. Molality is defined as moles of solute per:
A. Litre of solution
B. Litre of solvent
C. Kilogram of solvent
D. Kilogram of solution
Answer: C. Kilogram of solvent
3. Molarity is expressed as:
A. mol kg⁻¹
B. mol L⁻¹
C. kg mol⁻¹
D. L mol⁻¹
Answer: B. mol L⁻¹
4. Molality is expressed as:
A. mol L⁻¹
B. mol kg⁻¹
C. kg mol⁻¹
D. L mol⁻¹
Answer: B. mol kg⁻¹
5. Which quantity changes with temperature?
A. Mass of solvent
B. Number of moles
C. Volume of solution
D. Molecular mass
Answer: C. Volume of solution
6. Why can molarity change with temperature?
A. Moles change
B. Molecular mass changes
C. Solution volume changes
D. Solute disappears
Answer: C. Solution volume changes
7. Molality depends on the mass of:
A. Solute
B. Solvent
C. Solution
D. Container
Answer: B. Solvent
8. Molarity depends on the volume of:
A. Solute
B. Solvent
C. Solution
D. Gas only
Answer: C. Solution
9. Which concentration unit is most suitable for colligative property calculations?
A. Molality
B. Molarity only
C. Volume percentage
D. Mole fraction only
Answer: A. Molality
10. The SI-related unit commonly used for molality is:
A. mol L⁻¹
B. mol kg⁻¹
C. kg L⁻¹
D. L kg⁻¹
Answer: B. mol kg⁻¹
11. If temperature increases, the volume of most solutions generally:
A. Decreases
B. Increases
C. Becomes zero
D. Remains exactly unchanged
Answer: B. Increases
12. Which concentration is based on kg of solvent?
A. Molarity
B. Molality
C. Formality
D. Volume fraction
Answer: B. Molality
13. Which concentration is based on litres of solution?
A. Molality
B. Molarity
C. Mole fraction
D. Mass fraction
Answer: B. Molarity
14. If 1 mole of solute is dissolved in 1 kg solvent, molality is:
A. 0.1 m
B. 1 m
C. 10 m
D. 100 m
Answer: B. 1 m
15. Which quantity remains essentially constant when temperature changes?
A. Solution volume
B. Solvent mass
C. Density
D. Molarity
Answer: B. Solvent mass
16. The symbol for molality is:
A. M
B. m
C. N
D. X
Answer: B. m
17. The symbol for molarity is:
A. m
B. M
C. X
D. W
Answer: B. M
18. Which one is a temperature-independent concentration unit?
A. Molarity
B. Molality
C. Volume percentage
D. Normality based on volume
Answer: B. Molality
19. For accurate comparison of solutions at different temperatures, one should prefer:
A. Molarity
B. Molality
C. Volume fraction
D. Density only
Answer: B. Molality
20. Molality is calculated using:
A. Moles / volume
B. Moles / mass of solvent
C. Mass / volume
D. Volume / moles
Answer: B. Moles / mass of solvent
21. Which factor causes the volume of solution to change?
A. Temperature
B. Atomic number only
C. Proton number
D. Neutron number
Answer: A. Temperature
22. Molality is particularly useful in:
A. Colligative properties
B. Atomic structure only
C. Nuclear reactions only
D. Periodic classification only
Answer: A. Colligative properties
23. If 2 moles solute are dissolved in 4 kg solvent, molality is:
A. 0.25 m
B. 0.5 m
C. 2 m
D. 8 m
Answer: B. 0.5 m
24. If the volume of a solution increases while moles remain constant, its molarity:
A. Increases
B. Decreases
C. Remains same
D. Becomes infinite
Answer: B. Decreases
25. Which statement is correct?
A. Molality depends on solution volume
B. Molarity depends on solvent mass
C. Molality depends on solvent mass
D. Both depend only on temperature
Answer: C. Molality depends on solvent mass
26. Which concentration unit is represented by mol kg⁻¹?
A. Molarity
B. Molality
C. Normality
D. Mole fraction
Answer: B. Molality
27. Which concentration unit is represented by mol L⁻¹?
A. Molality
B. Molarity
C. Mole fraction
D. Mass fraction
Answer: B. Molarity
28. The denominator in molality contains:
A. Volume of solution
B. Mass of solvent
C. Mass of solute
D. Volume of solute
Answer: B. Mass of solvent
29. The denominator in molarity contains:
A. Mass of solvent
B. Mass of solute
C. Volume of solution
D. Volume of solvent only
Answer: C. Volume of solution
30. Why is molality preferred over molarity at varying temperatures?
A. It depends on solution volume
B. It depends on solvent mass
C. It depends on density only
D. It depends on temperature directly
Answer: B. It depends on solvent mass
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Biomolecules: Differentiate between DNA and RNA based on their pentose sugar and nitrogenous bases

Chapter: Biomolecules
Topic: Difference between DNA and RNA on the basis of Pentose Sugar and Nitrogenous Bases

DNA vs RNA

DNA and RNA are nucleic acids. Both are polymers of nucleotides, and each nucleotide contains a pentose sugar, nitrogenous base and phosphate group.

DNA → Deoxyribonucleic Acid

RNA → Ribonucleic Acid

The most important differences asked in examinations are the type of pentose sugar and the nitrogenous bases.

DNA

DNA contains the pentose sugar 2-deoxyribose.

DNA → 2-Deoxyribose

At the 2′ carbon, DNA sugar has hydrogen (H) instead of a hydroxyl (OH) group.

2′ Carbon → H

RNA

RNA contains the pentose sugar ribose.

RNA → Ribose

At the 2′ carbon, RNA sugar contains a hydroxyl (OH) group.

2′ Carbon → OH
DNA → 2-Deoxyribose
RNA → Ribose

DNA Bases

DNA contains four nitrogenous bases:

Adenine (A)
Thymine (T)
Guanine (G)
Cytosine (C)
DNA → A, T, G, C

RNA Bases

RNA also contains four nitrogenous bases, but Uracil replaces Thymine.

Adenine (A)
Uracil (U)
Guanine (G)
Cytosine (C)
RNA → A, U, G, C

The major difference between DNA and RNA nitrogenous bases is that DNA contains thymine whereas RNA contains uracil.

DNA → Thymine (T)
RNA → Uracil (U)

Adenine, guanine and cytosine are common to both DNA and RNA.

Common bases: A, G, C

Different base: DNA = T   |   RNA = U
Property DNA RNA
Full form Deoxyribonucleic Acid Ribonucleic Acid
Pentose sugar 2-Deoxyribose Ribose
Sugar at 2′ carbon H OH
Purine bases Adenine, Guanine Adenine, Guanine
Pyrimidine bases Cytosine, Thymine Cytosine, Uracil
Unique base Thymine (T) Uracil (U)
Common bases A, G, C A, G, C

Purines

Purines are double-ring nitrogenous bases.

Adenine (A)
Guanine (G)

Pyrimidines

Pyrimidines are single-ring nitrogenous bases.

Cytosine (C)
Thymine (T) → DNA
Uracil (U) → RNA
Purines → A + G
Pyrimidines → C + T + U

DNA

A pairs with T
G pairs with C

RNA

A pairs with U
G pairs with C
Exam Trick: DNA → A–T
RNA → A–U

RNA uses uracil as its pyrimidine base, whereas DNA uses thymine.

Chemically, thymine is essentially 5-methyluracil. The methyl group helps distinguish normal thymine in DNA from cytosine-derived modifications and contributes to DNA's long-term information-storage role.

DNA → Thymine
RNA → Uracil

Q. Differentiate between DNA and RNA on the basis of their pentose sugar and nitrogenous bases.

Answer:

DNA RNA
Contains 2-deoxyribose sugar. Contains ribose sugar.
Contains A, T, G and C. Contains A, U, G and C.

Q. Give three differences between DNA and RNA with respect to sugar and nitrogenous bases.

Answer:

  1. DNA contains 2-deoxyribose, whereas RNA contains ribose.
  2. DNA contains thymine, whereas RNA contains uracil.
  3. Adenine, guanine and cytosine are common nitrogenous bases in both DNA and RNA.

Q. Compare DNA and RNA on the basis of pentose sugar and nitrogenous bases. Also mention their base-pairing rule.

Answer:

Basis DNA RNA
Sugar 2-Deoxyribose Ribose
Bases A, T, G, C A, U, G, C
Pairing A–T and G–C A–U and G–C

Q. Explain the differences between DNA and RNA with reference to their sugar and nitrogenous bases.

1. Pentose Sugar

DNA contains 2-deoxyribose, while RNA contains ribose.

DNA → 2-Deoxyribose
RNA → Ribose

2. Nitrogenous Bases

DNA contains adenine, thymine, guanine and cytosine. RNA contains adenine, uracil, guanine and cytosine.

DNA → A, T, G, C
RNA → A, U, G, C

3. Major Difference

Thymine is present in DNA, whereas uracil is present in RNA.

4. Base Pairing

DNA: A–T, G–C
RNA: A–U, G–C
DNA → Deoxyribose + Thymine
RNA → Ribose + Uracil

Q. Differentiate between DNA and RNA in detail on the basis of pentose sugar, nitrogenous bases and base pairing.

1. Pentose Sugar

DNA contains 2-deoxyribose. It lacks the OH group at the 2′ carbon and has H at that position.

RNA contains ribose, which has an OH group at the 2′ carbon.

DNA: 2′ carbon → H
RNA: 2′ carbon → OH

2. Nitrogenous Bases

Both DNA and RNA contain the purines adenine and guanine, and the pyrimidine cytosine.

The fourth base differs:

DNA → Thymine
RNA → Uracil

3. Base Pairing

DNA:
A–T
G–C

RNA:
A–U
G–C

4. Final Comparison

Feature DNA RNA
Sugar 2-Deoxyribose Ribose
Bases A, T, G, C A, U, G, C
Unique pyrimidine Thymine Uracil
DNA = Deoxyribose + Thymine

RNA = Ribose + Uracil

1. The sugar present in DNA is:

A) Ribose
B) Glucose
C) 2-Deoxyribose
D) Fructose
✅ Answer

C) 2-Deoxyribose


2. The sugar present in RNA is:

A) Ribose
B) 2-Deoxyribose
C) Glucose
D) Fructose
✅ Answer

A) Ribose


3. Which sugar has H instead of OH at the 2′ carbon?

A) Ribose
B) 2-Deoxyribose
C) Glucose
D) Fructose
✅ Answer

B) 2-Deoxyribose


4. Which nitrogenous base is present in DNA but not normally in RNA?

A) Adenine
B) Guanine
C) Thymine
D) Cytosine
✅ Answer

C) Thymine


5. Which base replaces thymine in RNA?

A) Cytosine
B) Uracil
C) Guanine
D) Adenine
✅ Answer

B) Uracil


6. Which bases are common to both DNA and RNA?

A) A, G, C
B) T, U, C
C) A, T, U
D) G, T, U
✅ Answer

A) A, G, C


7. The pyrimidine base unique to DNA is:

A) Uracil
B) Thymine
C) Adenine
D) Guanine
✅ Answer

B) Thymine


8. The pyrimidine base unique to RNA is:

A) Thymine
B) Uracil
C) Adenine
D) Guanine
✅ Answer

B) Uracil


9. Which of the following are purines?

A) A and G
B) C and T
C) T and U
D) C and U
✅ Answer

A) A and G


10. Which is a pyrimidine?

A) Adenine
B) Guanine
C) Cytosine
D) Both A and B
✅ Answer

C) Cytosine


11. In DNA, adenine pairs with:

A) Uracil
B) Thymine
C) Cytosine
D) Guanine
✅ Answer

B) Thymine


12. In RNA, adenine pairs with:

A) Thymine
B) Uracil
C) Cytosine
D) Guanine
✅ Answer

B) Uracil


13. Guanine pairs with:

A) Adenine
B) Thymine/Uracil
C) Cytosine
D) Both A and B
✅ Answer

C) Cytosine


14. Which statement is correct?

A) DNA contains ribose
B) RNA contains deoxyribose
C) DNA contains deoxyribose
D) Both contain glucose
✅ Answer

C) DNA contains deoxyribose


15. RNA contains which base instead of thymine?

A) Adenine
B) Cytosine
C) Uracil
D) Guanine
✅ Answer

C) Uracil


16. The 2′ carbon of ribose in RNA contains:

A) H
B) OH
C) NH₂
D) COOH
✅ Answer

B) OH


17. The 2′ carbon of deoxyribose contains:

A) OH
B) H
C) NH₂
D) CH₃
✅ Answer

B) H


18. Which pair is correctly matched?

A) DNA – Ribose
B) RNA – Deoxyribose
C) DNA – Thymine
D) RNA – Thymine
✅ Answer

C) DNA – Thymine


19. Which pair is correctly matched?

A) DNA – Uracil
B) RNA – Uracil
C) DNA – Ribose
D) RNA – Deoxyribose
✅ Answer

B) RNA – Uracil


20. The most important difference in nitrogenous bases between DNA and RNA is:

A) A is absent in RNA
B) G is absent in DNA
C) T in DNA is replaced by U in RNA
D) C is absent in RNA
✅ Answer

C) T in DNA is replaced by U in RNA

🎯 Quick Revision

DNA: Deoxyribonucleic Acid
RNA: Ribonucleic Acid
DNA Sugar: 2-Deoxyribose
RNA Sugar: Ribose
DNA Bases: A, T, G, C
RNA Bases: A, U, G, C
DNA Unique Base: Thymine (T)
RNA Unique Base: Uracil (U)
DNA Pairing: A–T, G–C
RNA Pairing: A–U, G–C
Golden Rule: DNA = Deoxyribose + Thymine
RNA = Ribose + Uracil