Purines
Purines
Purines (/ˈpjʊərɪn/ or /ˈpjʊəriːn/) are a class of biochemical compounds that are essential for life. They are key components of DNA and RNA, and are also found in many other biological molecules.
Etymology
The term "purine" (from the Latin purum, meaning "pure") was coined by the German chemist Emil Fischer in 1884. He synthesized the compound from uric acid, which he named after the Greek word for "urine" (ουρον).
Structure and Function
Purines are composed of a six-membered and a five-membered nitrogen-containing ring, fused together. Among the most important purines are adenine and guanine, which are fundamental constituents of DNA and RNA.
Purines are involved in a wide range of biological functions. They play a crucial role in the storage and transmission of genetic information, in energy transfer reactions, and in signal transduction processes.
Related Terms
- Adenine: A purine base that is a component of DNA, RNA, and ATP.
- Guanine: A purine base that is a component of DNA, RNA, and GTP.
- Nucleotide: A compound consisting of a nucleoside linked to a phosphate group, which forms the basic structural unit of nucleic acids such as DNA and RNA.
- Nucleoside: A compound consisting of a purine or pyrimidine base linked to a sugar.
- Pyrimidines: A class of biochemical compounds that, along with purines, form the building blocks of DNA and RNA.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Purines
- Wikipedia's article - Purines
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