Differences Between Ribose and Deoxyribose

While both ribose and deoxyribose are sugars and provide a crucial component for nucleic acids, the building blocks of genes, they differ in structure.

Ribose

Ribose has five carbon molecules, 10 hydrogen molecules and five oxygen molecules, and is represented by the formula C5H10O5.

Deoxyribose

Deoxyribose lacks an oxygen molecule when compared to ribose and is represented by the formula C5H10O4. The lack of the extra oxygen molecule means it is missing an alcohol bond with one of the carbon molecules.

RNA

Ribose provides a key component of RNA, or ribonucleic acid. The sugar bonds to a phosphate as well as one of four bases: Adenine, Guanine, Cytosine and Uracil.

DNA

Deoxyribose makes up a key component of DNA, or deoxyribonucleic acid. The sugar bonds to a phosphate as well as one of four bases: Adenine, Guanine, Cytosine and Thymine. The missing oxygen molecule is what prevents the sugar from bonding with Uracil.

Importance

DNA and RNA are both crucial cellular components. DNA is located in the nucleus and RNA in the cytoplasm. DNA provides the genetic code to make RNA, which in turn provides the genetic code to create amino acids, the building block of proteins.

References

• “Virtual Chembook: Ribose”; Charles E. Ophardt, Elmhurt College; 2003
• “DNA and Protein Synthesis”; Anthony Carpi, Ph.D., John Jay College of Criminal Justice, The City University of New York; 1998
• “Virtual Chembook: DNA and RNA Introduction”; Charles E. Ophardt, Elmhurt College; 2003