Does folic acid contain a benzyl or a phenyl group?

This is the question asked in the title. At the first glance to the structure, one would say folic acid consists of phenyl function but not benzyl function because the question did not define what is the phenyl group. In reality, phenyl group $(\ce{Ph})$ is $\ce{C6H5}$. As Poutnik pointed out in the comment, folic acid really contains a phenylene $(\ce{C6H4})$ function. On the other hand, the Benzyl function is strictly $\ce{C6H5-CH2}$ or $\ce{Ph-CH2}$. It is debatable to call $\ce{X-C6H4-CH2}$ a benzyl group, unless a definition is given upperhand. Nonetheless, folic acid does not contain either $\ce{C6H5-CH2}$ or $\ce{X-C6H4-CH2}$, and therefore no argument there for the presence of benzyl group. What it contain is $\ce{X-C6H4-C=O}$ group, which can tentatively called benzoyl (strictly when $\ce{X = H}$).

Albeit, without giving definitions for the function naming, the mCAT question assigned $\bf{(A)}$ as a correct answer. However, there are clear-cut carboxylic and amine groups visible, the imine group is a part of Pteridine ring system:

Thus, it is a part of aromatic nucleus and therefore not a clear-cut isolated imine function. If the authors considered it as an imine, then phenylene system can be considered as a phenyl function. Accordingly, the mCAT question has possible two answers: Answers $\bf{(A)}$ and $\bf{(C)}$ as depicted in the image.

Does folic acid contain a benzyl or a phenyl group?

This is the question asked in the title. At the first glance to the structure, one would say folic acid consists of phenyl function but not benzyl function because the question did not define what is the phenyl group. In reality, phenyl group $(\ce{Ph})$ is $\ce{C6H5}$. As Poutnik pointed out in the comment, folic acid really contains a phenylene $(\ce{C6H4})$ function. On the other hand, the Benzyl function is strictly $\ce{C6H5-CH2}$ or $\ce{Ph-CH2}$. It is debatable to call $\ce{X-C6H4-CH2}$ a benzyl group, unless a definition is given upperhand. Nonetheless, folic acid does not contain either $\ce{C6H5-CH2}$ or $\ce{X-C6H4-CH2}$, and therefore no argument there for the presence of benzyl group. What it contain is $\ce{X-C6H4-C=O}$ group, which can tentatively called benzoyl (strictly when $\ce{X = H}$).

The more generic term for a substituted benzene ring, without restrictions on subatituents, is aryl.

Albeit, without giving definitions for the function naming, the mCAT question assigned $\bf{(A)}$ as a correct answer. However, there are clear-cut carboxylic and amine groups visible, the imine group is a part of Pteridine ring system:

Thus, it is a part of aromatic nucleus and therefore not a clear-cut isolated imine function. If the authors considered it as an imine, then phenylene system can be considered as a phenyl function. Accordingly, the mCAT question has possible two answers: Answers $\bf{(A)}$ and $\bf{(C)}$ as depicted in the image.

Does folic acid contain a benzyl or a phenyl group?

This is the question asked in the title. At the first glance to the structure, one would say folic acid consists of phenyl function but not benzyl function because question did not define what is the phenyl group. In reality, phenyl group $(\ce{Ph})$ is $\ce{C6H5}$. As Poutnik pointed out in the comment, polic acid really contain phenylene $(\ce{C6H4})$ function. On the other hand, Benzyl function is strictly $\ce{C6H5-CH2}$ or $\ce{Ph-CH2}$. It is debatable to call $\ce{X-C6H4-CH2}$ as benzyl group, unless a definition is given upperhand. Nonetheless, folic acid does not contain either $\ce{C6H5-CH2}$ or $\ce{X-C6H4-CH2}$, and therefore no argument there for the presence of benzyl group. What it contain is $\ce{X-C6H4-C=O}$ group, which can tentatively called benzoyl (strictly when $\ce{X = H}$).

Albait, without giving definitions for the function naming, the mCAT question assigned $\bf{(A)}$ as a correct answer. However, there are clear-cut carboxylic group and amine group visible, the imine group is a part of Pteridine ring system:

Thus, it is a part of aromaic nucleus and therefore not a clear-cut isolated imine function. If the authors considered it as an imine, then phenylene system can be considered as a phenyl function. Accordingly, the mCAT question has possible two answers: Answers $\bf{(A)}$ and $\bf{(C)}$ as depicted in the image.

Does folic acid contain a benzyl or a phenyl group?

This is the question asked in the title. At the first glance to the structure, one would say folic acid consists of phenyl function but not benzyl function because the question did not define what is the phenyl group. In reality, phenyl group $(\ce{Ph})$ is $\ce{C6H5}$. As Poutnik pointed out in the comment, folic acid really contains a phenylene $(\ce{C6H4})$ function. On the other hand, the Benzyl function is strictly $\ce{C6H5-CH2}$ or $\ce{Ph-CH2}$. It is debatable to call $\ce{X-C6H4-CH2}$ a benzyl group, unless a definition is given upperhand. Nonetheless, folic acid does not contain either $\ce{C6H5-CH2}$ or $\ce{X-C6H4-CH2}$, and therefore no argument there for the presence of benzyl group. What it contain is $\ce{X-C6H4-C=O}$ group, which can tentatively called benzoyl (strictly when $\ce{X = H}$).

Albeit, without giving definitions for the function naming, the mCAT question assigned $\bf{(A)}$ as a correct answer. However, there are clear-cut carboxylic and amine groups visible, the imine group is a part of Pteridine ring system:

Thus, it is a part of aromatic nucleus and therefore not a clear-cut isolated imine function. If the authors considered it as an imine, then phenylene system can be considered as a phenyl function. Accordingly, the mCAT question has possible two answers: Answers $\bf{(A)}$ and $\bf{(C)}$ as depicted in the image.