Definition
pentose
noun
- A simple sugar (monosaccharide) containing five carbon atoms.
Usage: chemistry; biochemistry
Examples
- Ribose is a pentose that plays a crucial role in RNA structure.
- Deoxyribose, another pentose, is found in DNA molecules.
- The pentose phosphate pathway is an important metabolic route in cells.
- Glucose is a hexose, not a pentose, because it has six carbon atoms.
- Arabinose and xylose are examples of pentoses used in various biological processes.
- Pentoses are essential building blocks for nucleic acids.