What does ribonucleoside mean?
A ribonucleoside is one of the basic building blocks of RNA. It consists of a nitrogenous base joined chemically to ribose, a five-carbon sugar. The four standard ribonucleosides are adenosine, cytidine, guanosine, and uridine. When ribonucleosides are linked to phosphate groups, they form ribonucleotides, which make up the nucleotide chain of RNA. The word is especially useful when distinguishing RNA-related molecules from their DNA counterparts: DNA contains deoxyribonucleosides, with deoxyribose instead of ribose. Although the term is central to molecular biology, biochemistry, and discussions of nucleic-acid synthesis, it is uncommon in general English.
nounA nucleoside containing the sugar ribose, and therefore a constituent of RNA. Ribonucleosides include adenosine, cytidine, guanosine, and uridine.
- A nucleoside consisting of a nitrogenous base attached to ribose, occurring as a building block of RNA.
"The enzyme converts the ribonucleoside into its corresponding nucleotide."
"Uridine is a ribonucleoside found in messenger RNA."
"The researchers developed an inhibitor that binds tightly to the ribonucleoside."
The plural is used when referring to several ribonucleosides or to the class of compounds.
"The study compared several ribonucleosides and their corresponding nucleotides."
RNA and DNA differ by one oxygen atom in their sugar: ribonucleosides carry ribose, while deoxyribonucleosides carry deoxyribose.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does ribonucleoside come from?
The word combines the element ribo-, referring to ribose, with nucleoside, a term built from nucle- and the suffix -oside. Ribose was named in the early 20th century for its relationship to ribonucleic acid, and ribonucleoside follows the naming pattern of related compounds such as ribonucleotide and ribonucleic. The prefix is also used in other biochemical terms to identify substances containing or derived from ribose.
How ribonucleoside is actually used
The term is primarily used in biochemistry and molecular biology. It is more technical than the general term nucleoside and is not normally used in everyday speech.
Easily confused with ribonucleoside
A deoxyribonucleoside contains deoxyribose, the sugar found in DNA, whereas a ribonucleoside contains ribose, the sugar found in RNA.