Deoxyribose

Definition

Deoxyribose is a five-carbon sugar that is a crucial component of DNA, the molecule that carries genetic information in living organisms. It differs from ribose, which is found in RNA, by lacking one oxygen atom, making it 'deoxy'. This subtle change in structure is vital as it contributes to the stability and function of DNA compared to RNA, influencing the overall architecture of nucleic acids.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Deoxyribose is a key component in the structure of DNA, forming the backbone along with phosphate groups.
2. The absence of one oxygen atom in deoxyribose compared to ribose makes DNA more stable and less reactive than RNA.
3. In DNA, deoxyribose connects to nitrogenous bases such as adenine, thymine, cytosine, and guanine to form nucleotides.
4. Deoxyribose has a molecular formula of C5H10O4 and exists in two forms: beta-D-deoxyribofuranose and alpha-D-deoxyribofuranose.
5. The structural differences between deoxyribose and ribose play an important role in the different functions and stability of DNA and RNA.

Review Questions

• How does the structure of deoxyribose contribute to the overall stability of DNA compared to RNA?
  • Deoxyribose contributes to the stability of DNA because it lacks one oxygen atom found in ribose. This absence makes DNA less reactive and more resistant to hydrolysis compared to RNA. As a result, the structural integrity of DNA is better preserved over time, which is essential for its role as genetic material.
• Discuss the role of deoxyribose in forming nucleotides and how these nucleotides contribute to the structure of DNA.
  • Deoxyribose serves as the sugar component in nucleotides that make up DNA. Each nucleotide consists of deoxyribose attached to a phosphate group and a nitrogenous base. The linkage of these nucleotides through phosphodiester bonds creates the sugar-phosphate backbone that supports the double helix structure of DNA while allowing for base pairing between complementary nitrogenous bases.
• Evaluate how changes in deoxyribose structure could impact DNA function and genetic expression.
  • If there were alterations to the structure of deoxyribose, such as an introduction of additional oxygen atoms or changes in carbon connectivity, it could significantly affect DNA's stability and functionality. Such changes might lead to increased susceptibility to degradation or mutations during replication. Consequently, this could disrupt genetic expression patterns, leading to potential errors in protein synthesis and impacting cellular functions and organismal development.

Related terms

Nucleotide: A nucleotide is the basic building block of nucleic acids, consisting of a deoxyribose sugar, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base.

DNA:

DNA, or deoxyribonucleic acid, is the hereditary material in humans and nearly all other organisms, made up of two strands forming a double helix structure.

RNA:

RNA, or ribonucleic acid, is a single-stranded molecule involved in various biological roles, including coding, decoding, regulation, and expression of genes.