deoxyribose sugar
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Deoxyribose sugar is a type of sugar molecule that is a fundamental component of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) structure. It is a five-carbon sugar that lacks an oxygen molecule on its carbon-2 (2′-deoxy-ribose), which differentiates it from ribose sugar, the sugar found in RNA (ribonucleic acid).
Deoxyribose sugar is a key component of the sugar-phosphate backbone of DNA. It links to a phosphate group and forms a covalent bond with the 3′-hydroxyl group of the adjacent nucleotide. The phosphate group of each nucleotide links the 3′-carbon of one deoxyribose sugar to the 5′-carbon of the next deoxyribose sugar, forming a chain or backbone to which the nitrogenous bases (adenine, guanine, cytosine, and thymine) are attached.
The deoxyribose sugar provides stability and rigidity to the double-helix structure of DNA, allowing it to resist chemical and physical damage. Additionally, its deoxygenation makes deoxyribose more stable than ribose, contributing to the long-term preservation of genetic information.
In summary, deoxyribose sugar is a critical component of DNA structure that helps maintain proper DNA shape, stability, and function.
More Answers:
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