What is the primary sugar present in DNA nucleotides?

In DNA nucleotides, the primary sugar is deoxyribose. This sugar is crucial because it differentiates DNA from RNA, which contains ribose as its sugar component. Deoxyribose lacks one oxygen atom compared to ribose, specifically at the 2' carbon position, which is why it is referred to as "deoxy." This structural difference contributes to the stability and functionality of DNA, as the absence of that oxygen atom makes it less reactive and more suitable for long-term genetic information storage.

The presence of deoxyribose also plays a key role in the formation of the DNA backbone, which is essential for the double helix structure that holds the genetic code in cells. The additional molecular stability provided by deoxyribose helps ensure the fidelity of DNA replication and transmission of genetic information across generations.