Definition
pentoses
noun
- Plural of pentose; simple sugars containing five carbon atoms, such as ribose and deoxyribose.
Usage: chemistry; biochemistry
Examples
- Pentoses are essential components of nucleic acids like DNA and RNA.
- Ribose and arabinose are common pentoses found in living organisms.
- The cell uses pentoses in energy metabolism and biosynthesis.
- Deoxyribose, a pentose, forms the backbone of DNA molecules.
- Pentoses differ from hexoses in having one fewer carbon atom.