What is deoxyribose?

Study for DNA History, Replication, and Protein Synthesis Test. Prepare with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question has hints and explanations. Master your exam content!

Multiple Choice

What is deoxyribose?

Explanation:
Deoxyribose is the five‑carbon sugar that makes up the backbone of DNA. In each DNA nucleotide, this sugar is linked to a phosphate and a nitrogenous base. It’s called deoxyribose because it lacks an oxygen atom at the 2' position compared with ribose, the sugar used in RNA. That extra oxygen in ribose makes RNA more reactive, while the absence of it helps give DNA its stability. This sugar is not a lipid or a protein, and RNA uses a different sugar (ribose) rather than deoxyribose.

Deoxyribose is the five‑carbon sugar that makes up the backbone of DNA. In each DNA nucleotide, this sugar is linked to a phosphate and a nitrogenous base. It’s called deoxyribose because it lacks an oxygen atom at the 2' position compared with ribose, the sugar used in RNA. That extra oxygen in ribose makes RNA more reactive, while the absence of it helps give DNA its stability. This sugar is not a lipid or a protein, and RNA uses a different sugar (ribose) rather than deoxyribose.

More Multiple Choice Questions
Subscribe

Get the latest from Passetra

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy