What is Deoxyribose?
Deoxyribose is an aldopentose sugar whose chemical formula is C5H10O4. Its molar mass is 134.13 g/mol. It was discovered in 1929 by Phoebus Levene. IUPAC’s name of Deoxyribose sugar is 2-deoxy-D-ribose. It is also known as 2-deoxy-D-erythro-pentose. It contains a hydrogen (H) atom at 2nd carbon. This sugar is found in DNA and is thus of great biological importance by helping in the inheritance of characters. It is associated with the long-term storage and transmission of genetic information. Deoxyribose is more stable and less reactive due to the absence of oxygen.
Difference Between Deoxyribose And Ribose
Difference Between Deoxyribose And Ribose: Deoxyribose and Ribose are monosaccharides. The structure of Ribose and deoxyribose are very much similar, having only one difference. Ribose sugar has a hydroxyl group on 2nd carbon whereas deoxyribose sugar has a hydrogen atom on 2nd carbon. Also, deoxyribose is a constituent of DNA whereas ribose sugar is a constituent of RNA. Furthermore, there are differences based on the IUPAC name, molar mass, chemical formula, etc.