The sugar found in RNA is called ribose. Ribose is a five-carbon sugar, and it plays a crucial role in the structure and function of RNA.
Unlike DNA, which contains deoxyribose, ribose has an additional hydroxyl group (-OH) attached to the second carbon atom in the sugar ring. This difference in structure is significant as it influences the stability and function of RNA molecules.
Ribose is essential in the synthesis of RNA and serves as a backbone for the nucleotides that compose the RNA strand. Each nucleotide in RNA contains ribose, a phosphate group, and one of the four nitrogenous bases: adenine, uracil, cytosine, or guanine. This unique composition allows RNA to perform various roles, including serving as a messenger for genetic information and participating in protein synthesis.