Question

which statement best describes the components of nucleic acids?
○ they are made up of chains of amino acids.
○ they are made up of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen only.
○ they are made up almost entirely of carbon and hydrogen.
○ they are made up of nitrogenous bases, sugars, and phosphates.

Explanation:

• Analyze each option:
• Option 1: Chains of amino acids make up proteins, not nucleic acids. Eliminate.
• Option 2: Nucleic acids also contain nitrogen and phosphorus (from phosphates), not just C, H, O. Eliminate.
• Option 3: Molecules made mostly of C and H are lipids/hydrocarbons, not nucleic acids. Eliminate.
• Option 4: Nucleic acids (DNA/RNA) are polymers of nucleotides. Each nucleotide has a nitrogenous base, a sugar (deoxyribose for DNA, ribose for RNA), and a phosphate group. This matches.

Answer:

D. They are made up of nitrogenous bases, sugars, and phosphates. (Note: Assuming the last option is D; if options are labeled differently, adjust the identifier, but the text of the correct option is "They are made up of nitrogenous bases, sugars, and phosphates.")