The 2-keto isomer of ribose. As the 5-phosphate, it participates in the pentose monophosphate shunt; as the 1,5-bisphosphate, it combines with CO2 at the start of the photosynthetic process in green plants (“carbon dioxide trap”); d-r. is the epimer of d-xylulose.
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ri·bu·lose 'rib-yə-.lōsalso -.lōz n a ketose C5H10O5 that plays a role in carbohydrate metabolism
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ri·bu·lose (riґbu-lōs) a ketopentose isomeric with ribose and occurring in phosphorylated form (ribose 5-phosphate) as an intermediate in the pentose phosphate pathway.Medical dictionary. 2011.