Deoxyribose is a five-carbon sugar molecule that is a crucial component of DNA, or deoxyribonucleic acid. It differs from ribose, the sugar found in RNA or ribonucleic acid, by lacking one oxygen atom. This structural difference is significant because it contributes to the stability and function of DNA. In DNA, deoxyribose forms the backbone of the molecule, linking with phosphate groups to create a long chain. The sequence of nitrogenous bases attached to deoxyribose encodes genetic information, which is essential for the growth, development, and functioning of all living organisms.