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

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

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

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

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

• Nucleotide
• DNA
• RNA
• Genetic code
• Genetic disorders

Nitrogenous base Resources
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References

External Links

• National Center for Biotechnology Information - Nitrogenous Bases
• Britannica - Nitrogenous Base

Further Reading

• 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.