Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
deoxyribose
Noun
/diˌɒksɪˈraɪboʊs/
Definition
Deoxyribose is a sugar that is an essential component of DNA, the hereditary material in all living organisms.
Examples
- Deoxyribose is found in the backbone of DNA molecules.
- The structure of deoxyribose includes four hydroxyl groups and one hydrogen atom that replaces the hydroxyl in ribose.
- Researchers study deoxyribose to understand genetic information in cells.
Meaning
Deoxyribose is a five-carbon sugar which is crucial for the structure of DNA, distinguishing it from RNA by lacking an oxygen atom.
Synonyms
- 2-deoxy-D-ribose
- Deoxy sugar
