Deoxyribose
Deoxyribose
Deoxyribose (/diːˈɒksɪˌraɪboʊz/), formally known as 2-deoxyribose, is a monosaccharide sugar that is a key component of DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid).
Etymology
The term "deoxyribose" derives from the fact that it is a sugar, hence the "-ose" suffix, that is "deoxy" or lacking in oxygen. It was first identified in 1929 by Phoebus Levene, a biochemist at the Rockefeller Institute for Medical Research.
Structure
Deoxyribose is a pentose sugar, meaning it is composed of five carbon atoms. It differs from the similar sugar ribose due to the absence of a hydroxyl group (-OH) on the 2' carbon in the ribose ring, hence the prefix "deoxy".
Function
In the context of biology, deoxyribose is most commonly known for its role in the structure of DNA. It forms the backbone of the DNA double helix with the phosphate groups and provides the attachment point for the DNA bases.
Related Terms
- DNA: Deoxyribonucleic Acid, the molecule that carries genetic information in all living organisms.
- Ribose: A pentose sugar that is a component of RNA (Ribonucleic Acid).
- Monosaccharide: The simplest form of sugar and the most basic units of carbohydrates.
- Pentose: A monosaccharide with five carbon atoms.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Deoxyribose
- Wikipedia's article - Deoxyribose
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski