What is the Difference Between Deoxyribose and Ribose?

Deoxyribose and ribose are both monosaccharides, or simple sugars, with almost identical structures. The main difference between them is the presence of a hydroxyl group (OH) at position 2 in ribose and a hydrogen (H) atom at the same position in deoxyribose. This difference in structure results in deoxyribose being more stable than ribose. Some additional differences between deoxyribose and ribose include:

• Chemical Formula: Deoxyribose has the chemical formula C5H10O4, while ribose has the chemical formula C5H10O5.
• Molar Mass: Deoxyribose has a molar mass of 134.13 g/mol, while ribose has a molar mass of 150.13 g/mol.
• IUPAC Name: Deoxyribose's IUPAC name is 2-deoxy-D-ribose, while ribose's IUPAC name is (2S,3R,4S,5R)-5-(hydroxymethyl)oxolane-2,3,4-triol.
• Biological Role: Deoxyribose is found in DNA, while ribose is found in RNA.
• Discovery: Deoxyribose was discovered by Phoebus Levene in 1929, while ribose was discovered by Emil Fischer and Oskar Piloty in 1891.

Despite these differences, both deoxyribose and ribose are aldopentoses, meaning they contain five carbon atoms and have aldehyde as a functional group. They react with nitrogenous bases to form nucleosides, which can then be phosphorylated to form nucleotides.

Comparative Table: Deoxyribose vs Ribose

Deoxyribose and ribose are both monosaccharides, or simple sugars, with five carbon atoms. They are aldopentoses and play crucial roles in the formation of nucleic acids, such as DNA and RNA. Despite their similarities, there are key differences between these two sugars. Here is a table highlighting the differences between deoxyribose and ribose:

The main difference between deoxyribose and ribose is the presence of a hydroxyl group (OH) at position 2 in ribose and a hydrogen (H) atom at position 2 in deoxyribose. This difference affects the stability and reactivity of the sugars, with deoxyribose being more stable and less reactive due to the absence of oxygen.