Which of the following accurately identifies a component of DNA's backbone?

The backbone of DNA is composed of alternating sugar and phosphate groups, making the correct identification of this structure essential in understanding DNA’s overall architecture. Each sugar in the backbone is a deoxyribose sugar, which is linked to a phosphate group through a phosphodiester bond. This configuration provides DNA with structural stability and integrity, allowing it to maintain its double helix form.

In contrast, nitrogenous bases, while critical for the genetic coding and pairing in the DNA molecule, are not part of the backbone; rather, they project from the sugar-phosphate backbone in a way that allows them to form base pairs. DNA polymerase, on the other hand, is an enzyme involved in the synthesis of DNA but does not constitute a structural component of the DNA itself. Additionally, ribose sugar pertains to RNA, which is distinct from deoxyribose in DNA, further emphasizing that ribose alone does not contribute to DNA’s backbone.

Understanding the components of the DNA backbone is fundamental when studying its function and replication, as they provide the framework that supports the sequence of genetic information encoded in the bases.