Deoxyribose is a pentose (5-carbon) sugar - formula C5H10O4.It is found in DNA. Notice the 5 carbon atoms (grey) forming the backbone of the molecule, and the oxygen atom (red) in the ring - which is a 5 sided ring, unlike glucose. The hydrogen atoms (white) are either attached directly to the carbons, or via oxygen as OH groups - at an angle. The carbon outside the ring has 2 single hydrogens and an OH group. Deoxyribose differs from ribose in that it lacks an oxygen at carbon 2 (labelled) - and so has only 2 hydrogen atoms (white). Mouse and movement options Colours explained |