ScienceJuly 13, 2026
ribose
/ˈraɪboʊs/
Definition
A simple sugar molecule that serves as a fundamental building block for the genetic material RNA.
Etymology
Derived from the German chemist Emil Fischer’s rearrangement of the name 'arabinose' in 1891. The suffix '-ose' is used in chemistry to denote a sugar.
In the news
The article identifies ribose as a crucial sugar found on meteorites that scientists hope to detect in the interstellar medium, as it is a necessary precursor for the development of life.
A Sweet Surprise: Scientists Find Sugar Deep in Our Galaxy
Read the full article ↗The New York Times