Deoxyribose vs. Ribose — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on September 24, 2023
Deoxyribose is a sugar used in the backbone of DNA and lacks one oxygen atom that ribose has. Ribose is a sugar used in the backbone of RNA and is more reactive due to its additional oxygen atom.
Difference Between Deoxyribose and Ribose
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Deoxyribose is a five-carbon sugar that is essential for the formation of DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid). It lacks one oxygen atom compared to ribose, its close relative. This slight difference gives deoxyribose its name—“de-oxy” indicating the absence of an oxygen atom, and this missing oxygen plays a role in making DNA more stable.
Ribose, on the other hand, is also a five-carbon sugar, but it's involved in the formation of RNA (Ribonucleic Acid) rather than DNA. The extra oxygen atom in ribose makes it more reactive compared to deoxyribose. This reactivity is crucial for the temporary and flexible nature of RNA, which needs to be easily synthesized and degraded.
In terms of chemical structure, both deoxyribose and ribose are very similar, each consisting of a pentose sugar ring. But the absence of an oxygen atom in deoxyribose at the 2' position changes its properties and reactivity, making it more conducive to long-term storage of genetic material, as found in DNA.
Ribose is not only important for RNA but also plays a significant role in other cellular processes, such as the formation of ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate). Here, the additional oxygen atom serves an essential purpose in the reactivity and versatility of the molecule. While deoxyribose is more specialized for storage, ribose shows greater versatility in cellular functions.
Comparison Chart
Presence of Oxygen Atom
Lacks one oxygen atom
Has one extra oxygen atom
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Role in Nucleic Acids
Forms backbone of DNA
Forms backbone of RNA
Reactivity
Less reactive
More reactive
Cellular Functions
Specialized for genetic storage
Versatile, involved in multiple functions
Chemical Formula
C5H10O4
C5H10O5
Compare with Definitions
Deoxyribose
Less reactive sugar
Deoxyribose's stability is key in preserving genetic information.
Ribose
RNA sugar
Ribose is integral to the structure of RNA.
Deoxyribose
Five-carbon sugar
Deoxyribose is a pentose sugar, having five carbons.
Ribose
Reactive sugar
Ribose's reactivity allows RNA to be easily synthesized and degraded.
Deoxyribose
Biological molecule
Deoxyribose is vital in the biochemistry of genetics.
Ribose
Biological molecule
Ribose is crucial in forming molecules like ATP in addition to RNA.
Deoxyribose
DNA sugar
Deoxyribose is the sugar component of the DNA helix.
Ribose
Extra oxygen
Ribose has one more oxygen atom than deoxyribose.
Deoxyribose
Missing oxygen
Deoxyribose lacks an oxygen atom that ribose has.
Ribose
Five-carbon sugar
Like deoxyribose, ribose is also a pentose sugar.
Deoxyribose
Deoxyribose, or more precisely 2-deoxyribose, is a monosaccharide with idealized formula H−(C=O)−(CH2)−(CHOH)3−H. Its name indicates that it is a deoxy sugar, meaning that it is derived from the sugar ribose by loss of an oxygen atom. Deoxyribose is most notable for its presence in DNA. Since the pentose sugars arabinose and ribose only differ by the stereochemistry at C2′, 2-deoxyribose and 2-deoxyarabinose are equivalent, although the latter term is rarely used because ribose, not arabinose, is the precursor to deoxyribose.
Ribose
Ribose is a simple sugar and carbohydrate with molecular formula C5H10O5 and the linear-form composition H−(C=O)−(CHOH)4−H. The naturally-occurring form, d-ribose, is a component of the ribonucleotides from which RNA is built, and so this compound is necessary for coding, decoding, regulation and expression of genes. It has a structural analog, deoxyribose, which is a similarly essential component of DNA. l-ribose is an unnatural sugar that was first prepared by Emil Fischer and Oscar Piloty in 1891.
Deoxyribose
A pentose sugar, C5H10O4, that is a constituent of DNA and differs from ribose in having a hydrogen atom instead of a hydroxyl group on one of its carbon atoms.
Ribose
A pentose sugar, C5H10O5, that is a constituent of RNA and of certain vitamins and coenzymes.
Deoxyribose
(carbohydrate) A derivative of the pentose sugar ribose in which the 2' hydroxyl (-OH) is reduced to a hydrogen (H); it is a constituent of the nucleotides that constitute the biopolymer, deoxyribonucleic acid, or DNA.
Ribose
(carbohydrate) A naturally occurring pentose sugar, which is a component of the nucleosides and nucleotides that constitute the nucleic acid biopolymer, RNA. It is also found in riboflavin.
Deoxyribose
A pentose (C5H10O4) in which one of the hydroxyl groups of ribose has been replaced by a hydrogen. In deoxyribonucleic acids, the deoxyribose is D-2-deoxyribose, in which the hydroxyl at the 2 position of ribose is the one which is replaced by hydrogen.
Ribose
A pentose sugar important as a component of ribonucleic acid
Deoxyribose
A sugar that is a constituent of nucleic acids
Common Curiosities
Is ribose more reactive?
Yes, ribose is more reactive due to its extra oxygen atom.
What is deoxyribose?
Deoxyribose is a sugar that forms the backbone of DNA.
Is deoxyribose more stable?
Yes, deoxyribose is less reactive, making it more stable for long-term genetic storage.
Is deoxyribose a pentose sugar?
Yes, deoxyribose has five carbon atoms.
Is ribose also a pentose sugar?
Yes, ribose also has five carbon atoms.
How do deoxyribose and ribose differ?
Deoxyribose lacks one oxygen atom that ribose has.
Where is deoxyribose found?
Deoxyribose is found in DNA.
Can ribose be used in DNA?
No, ribose is not used in DNA due to its reactivity.
What is ribose?
Ribose is a sugar that forms the backbone of RNA.
Where is ribose found?
Ribose is found in RNA and molecules like ATP.
What is the chemical formula for deoxyribose?
The chemical formula for deoxyribose is C5H10O4.
Can deoxyribose be found in RNA?
No, RNA contains ribose, not deoxyribose.
Are deoxyribose and ribose isomers?
No, they are not isomers but closely related sugars with a slight difference in their oxygen atoms.
Are both deoxyribose and ribose found in nucleic acids?
Yes, deoxyribose is found in DNA and ribose is found in RNA.
What is the chemical formula for ribose?
The chemical formula for ribose is C5H10O5.
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Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
