Purines Vs Pyrimidines - Difference And Comparison - Diffen

Structure

Purine (L) and Pyrimidine (R) molecules, where Black= Carbon, White=Hydrogen, Blue=Nitrogen Purine (L) and Pyrimidine (R) molecules, where Black= Carbon, White=Hydrogen, Blue=Nitrogen

A purine is a heterocyclic aromatic organic compound containing 4 nitrogen atoms. It contains two carbon rings, and is made of a pyrimidine ring fused to an imidazole ring.

Structure of a purine Structure of a purine

A pyrimidine is a heterocyclic aromatic organic compound containing 2 nitrogen atoms. It contains only one carbon ring.

Structure of a pyrimidine Structure of a pyrimidine

Function

Both purines and pyrimidines have the same function: they serve as a form of energy for cells, and are essential for production of DNA and RNA, proteins, starch, regulations of enzymes, cell signaling.

Nucleobases

Purines make up two of the four nucleobases in DNA and RNA: adenine and guanine. Pyramidines make up the other bases in DNA and RNA: cytosine, thymine (in DNA) and uracil (in RNA). Useful mnemonics to remember these bases are:

  • "CUT the Py": CUT: Cytosine, Uracil, Thymine; Py (Pyrimindines)
  • "Pure As Gold (Pur AG)": Purines are Adenine, Guanine
The chemical structure of all purines (adenine, guanine) and pyrimidines (cytosine, thymine, uracil). The chemical structure of all purines (adenine, guanine) and pyrimidines (cytosine, thymine, uracil).

Synthesis

Purines can be created artificially through Traube purine synthesis.

Pyrimidines can be prepared in a lab using organic synthesis, such as through the Bigineli reaction.

References

  • wikipedia:Pyrimidine
  • wikipedia:Purine
  • Chemistry of the Nitrogenous Bases: Purines and Pyrimidines - YouTube video
  • Structures of the Nucleobases - YouTube video
  • Organic chemistry of bonds between pyrimidines and purines

Tag » What Are The Purines And Pyrimidines