Ribose sugar

Definition

Ribose sugar is a five-carbon sugar molecule that is a key component of RNA, or ribonucleic acid. This sugar plays an essential role in the structure of RNA, serving as the backbone that connects nucleotides together. In addition to its structural significance, ribose sugar also participates in various metabolic processes, including energy production and cellular signaling.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Ribose sugar differs from deoxyribose by having an additional hydroxyl group (-OH) on the 2' carbon, making it more reactive.
2. In RNA, ribose sugar helps form the phosphodiester bonds between nucleotides, which are crucial for RNA stability and structure.
3. Ribose can also be synthesized within cells through the pentose phosphate pathway, a crucial metabolic pathway for energy and nucleotide production.
4. The presence of ribose sugar in RNA allows for more diverse functions compared to DNA, including roles in catalysis and regulation of gene expression.
5. Ribose is involved in the synthesis of ATP (adenosine triphosphate), the primary energy carrier in cells.

Review Questions

• How does ribose sugar contribute to the overall structure of RNA?
  • Ribose sugar contributes to the overall structure of RNA by forming the backbone of the molecule. Each ribose sugar is connected to a phosphate group and a nitrogenous base through phosphodiester bonds. This arrangement creates a stable yet flexible structure that allows RNA to fold into various shapes necessary for its diverse functions in cells.
• Compare and contrast ribose sugar with deoxyribose and explain their respective roles in RNA and DNA.
  • Ribose sugar and deoxyribose are both five-carbon sugars that form part of the backbone of RNA and DNA, respectively. Ribose contains an -OH group at the 2' carbon, while deoxyribose has only a hydrogen atom at this position. This difference makes ribose more reactive than deoxyribose and allows RNA to have unique structural properties that support its various functions, such as acting as a messenger or catalyst in biological processes.
• Evaluate the importance of ribose sugar in cellular metabolism and its role in energy production.
  • Ribose sugar is crucial for cellular metabolism as it is involved in the synthesis of nucleotides and nucleic acids like RNA. Additionally, ribose is a key component of ATP, which is essential for energy transfer within cells. The ability of cells to produce ribose through metabolic pathways ensures they have adequate supplies for synthesizing vital biomolecules, enabling proper cell function and energy management.

Related terms

RNA: Ribonucleic acid, a molecule that plays a central role in the coding, decoding, regulation, and expression of genes.

Nucleotide: The basic building block of nucleic acids, consisting of a ribose sugar, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base.

Deoxyribose: A five-carbon sugar similar to ribose but lacking one oxygen atom; it is a key component of DNA.