Deoxyribose is a five-carbon sugar molecule that is a crucial component of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid). It differs from ribose, the sugar found in RNA (ribonucleic acid), by lacking one oxygen atom. This structural difference is significant because it contributes to the stability and function of DNA, allowing it to store genetic information securely. In the structure of DNA, deoxyribose forms the backbone along with phosphate groups, creating a long chain that supports the nucleotide bases (adenine, thymine, cytosine, and guanine). These bases pair up to encode the genetic instructions necessary for the development and functioning of living organisms.