Deoxyribose

Definition

Deoxyribose is a five-carbon sugar molecule that is a crucial component of DNA, the hereditary material in all known living organisms. It differs from ribose, the sugar found in RNA, by lacking one oxygen atom, which makes it more stable and less reactive. This stability is essential for maintaining the integrity of genetic information over generations.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Deoxyribose is structurally represented as C5H10O4, indicating it has five carbon atoms, ten hydrogen atoms, and four oxygen atoms.
2. In DNA, deoxyribose connects to phosphate groups and nitrogenous bases to form the backbone of the DNA strand, providing structural stability.
3. The absence of the hydroxyl group (-OH) on the second carbon in deoxyribose makes DNA less susceptible to hydrolysis compared to RNA.
4. Deoxyribose is synthesized in cells through the pentose phosphate pathway, which provides the necessary components for nucleic acid synthesis.
5. In terms of function, deoxyribose plays a critical role in ensuring the accurate replication of genetic material during cell division.

Review Questions

• How does the structure of deoxyribose contribute to the stability of DNA compared to RNA?
  • Deoxyribose's structure contributes to DNA's stability because it lacks an oxygen atom at the second carbon position. This absence of a hydroxyl group makes DNA less reactive and more resistant to hydrolysis than RNA. As a result, the overall stability of DNA is enhanced, allowing it to preserve genetic information over long periods and generations.
• What role does deoxyribose play in the formation of nucleotides and how does this relate to DNA's function?
  • Deoxyribose serves as the sugar component in nucleotides that make up DNA. Each nucleotide consists of a deoxyribose sugar, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base. The assembly of these nucleotides into long chains forms the DNA structure. This arrangement is vital for DNA's function in storing and transmitting genetic information during processes such as replication and transcription.
• Evaluate the implications of deoxyribose's chemical properties on DNA replication and stability across generations.
  • The chemical properties of deoxyribose, especially its stability due to the lack of an oxygen atom at the second carbon, have profound implications for DNA replication and stability across generations. This stability minimizes mutations during replication, ensuring that genetic information remains intact as it is passed down through cell divisions. Furthermore, this characteristic helps protect DNA from degradation in various environmental conditions, thus securing the integrity of hereditary information crucial for life.

Related terms

DNA:

Deoxyribonucleic acid, the molecule that carries genetic instructions for the growth, development, functioning, and reproduction of all living organisms.

Nucleotide: The basic building block of nucleic acids, consisting of a sugar (deoxyribose for DNA), a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base.

Ribose: A five-carbon sugar that is a component of RNA, differing from deoxyribose by having an additional oxygen atom on its second carbon.