Consider the exact chemical structure and molecular formula of - -2-deoxyribose, which serves as the — Biomolecules Chemistry Question
Question
Consider the exact chemical structure and molecular formula of $\beta$ - $D$ -2-deoxyribose, which serves as the fundamental pentose sugar unit utilized in the backbone architecture of all DNA molecules. How many total oxygen atoms are chemically present in a single, independent molecule of this specific sugar?
Answer: 4
💡 Solution & Explanation
The pentose sugar Ribose has the molecular formula $C_5H_{10}O_5$. Deoxyribose, specifically 2-deoxyribose, differs exactly by the absence of one oxygen atom (loss of the hydroxyl group at the $2'$ carbon). Therefore, its exact formula is $C_5H_{10}O_4$, possessing $4$ oxygen atoms.
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