Deoxyribose

Definition

Deoxyribose is a five-carbon sugar molecule that serves as the backbone of DNA. It is an essential component of nucleotides, which form the structural unit of DNA.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Deoxyribose differs from ribose by lacking one oxygen atom on the second carbon.
2. It forms part of the nucleotide structure, specifically in DNA where it bonds with phosphate groups and nitrogenous bases.
3. The absence of one oxygen atom makes deoxyribose more chemically stable than ribose.
4. Deoxyribose contributes to the overall helical structure of DNA by linking to phosphate groups through phosphodiester bonds.
5. In DNA, deoxyribose is attached to four different nitrogenous bases: adenine, thymine, cytosine, and guanine.

Review Questions

• What structural difference distinguishes deoxyribose from ribose?
• How does deoxyribose contribute to the stability and structure of DNA?
• What are the four nitrogenous bases attached to deoxyribose in DNA?

Related terms

Ribose:

A five-carbon sugar present in RNA that has one more oxygen atom than deoxyribose.

Nucleotide:

The basic building block of nucleic acids like DNA and RNA, consisting of a sugar, phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base.

Phosphodiester Bond:

A chemical bond that forms between adjacent nucleotides in a strand of DNA or RNA.