Definition
noun
(1) An aldopentose (i.e. a monosaccharide with five carbon atoms) derived from the pentose sugar ribose by the replacement of a hydroxyl group with a hydrogen atom at the 2 position, leading to the net loss of an oxygen atom (hence the name).
(2) The sugar component in the side chains of DNA, in contrast to the ribose in the side chains of RNA.
Supplement
Word origin: deoxy + ribose (sugar)
Related forms: deoxyribo-
Chemical formula: C6H10O4
Also called:
- D-deoxyribose
- 2-deoxyribose
Compare: ribose
Related terms:
- deoxyribonucleic acid
- deoxyribonucleoside
- deoxyadenosine
- deoxyguanosine
- deoxycytidine
- deoxythymidine
