Nitrogenous base
Nitrogenous base is a fundamental component of nucleotides, which are the basic building blocks of DNA and RNA. These bases are classified into two categories: purines and pyrimidines.
Purines[edit | edit source]
Purines are the larger of the two types of nitrogenous bases. They are composed of a two-ring structure, which includes a six-membered ring fused to a five-membered ring. The two purines in DNA are adenine and guanine.
Pyrimidines[edit | edit source]
Pyrimidines are smaller than purines and consist of a single six-membered ring. The three pyrimidines in DNA are cytosine, thymine, and uracil. Uracil replaces thymine in RNA.
Base Pairing[edit | edit source]
In DNA, adenine pairs with thymine and guanine pairs with cytosine. This is known as base pairing. In RNA, adenine pairs with uracil.
Role in Genetic Code[edit | edit source]
The sequence of nitrogenous bases in a DNA molecule forms the genetic code, which carries the instructions for the synthesis of proteins in the body. Changes in this sequence can lead to genetic disorders.
See Also[edit | edit source]
| Nitrogenous base Resources | |
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References[edit | edit source]
External Links[edit | edit source]
Further Reading[edit | edit source]
- Nelson, D. L., & Cox, M. M. (2017). Lehninger principles of biochemistry. New York: W.H. Freeman and Company.
- Alberts, B. (2014). Molecular biology of the cell. New York: Garland Science.
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