Definition

A type of sugar that has five carbon atoms and is found in important biological molecules like RNA and nucleotides.

Example

Ribose is essential for the structure of RNA, which plays a key role in protein synthesis.

Conversation

I was reading about how important ribose is for our cells.

Really? I didn't know it played such a big role.

Yeah, it's a sugar that helps make RNA, which is super essential.

That makes sense! I guess it shows how complex our biology is.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Ribose is derived from the Latin word "ribas" (meaning sugar) and the suffix "-ose" (indicating a carbohydrate). The word "ribose" refers to a type of sugar that is a crucial component of RNA.

Memory Tip

Think of 'ribas' meaning sugar, and remember that 'ribose' is a type of sugar important for RNA.

Visually Confused Words