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Ribose is a five-carbon sugar, a monosaccharide, with the chemical formula C5H10O5. It is a pentose sugar, meaning it has five carbon atoms. Ribose is a crucial component of nucleic acids, specifically ribonucleic acid (RNA), where it forms the backbone of the molecule. In RNA, each ribose molecule is linked to a phosphate group and a nitrogenous base.

Beyond its role in RNA, ribose is also a key building block for adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the primary energy currency of cells. ATP is formed by attaching three phosphate groups to adenosine, which itself consists of adenine (a nitrogenous base) and ribose. The energy released when ATP is broken down fuels numerous cellular processes.

Ribose is also found in other important biomolecules, including coenzymes like NAD (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) and FAD (flavin adenine dinucleotide), which are essential for cellular respiration and other metabolic reactions. While ribose is naturally occurring and synthesized by the body, it can also be obtained from dietary sources, though it is not considered an essential nutrient as the body can produce it. It is a white crystalline solid that is soluble in water.