What Are the Purines in a DNA Model?
The DNA model is composed of two strains of nucleotide sequences, held together in an alpha-helix structure. The nucleotides that form a DNA molecule are classified into two types: purines and pyrimidines. Purines are different from pyrimidines in their chemical structure and properties.
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History
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The nomenclature for this particular group of compounds was coined by Emil Fischer in 1884. The discovery of purines came from a synthetic chemical experiment involving uric acid.
Molecular Structure
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The structure of purines is chemically defined as a heterocyclic aromatic organic compound, with two chemical rings composed of the carbon, nitrogen and hydrogen atoms. The two rings, a pyrimidine ring and an imidazole ring, are chemically bonded to form a molecular structure of a purine.
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Purines in DNA
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Purines in DNA molecules include adenine (A) and guanine (G). The other type of nucleotides in DNA are thymine (T) and cytosine (C), both classified as pyrimidines. In DNA molecules, purines are paired up with pyrimidines, bonding one strain of nucleotides to the other. Adenine (A) bonds with its complementary pyrimidine thymine (T), and guanine (G) bonds with its complementary pyrimidine cytosine (C) to form the genetic code involving the four letters A, C, T and G.
Function
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The sequence in DNA molecules, half of which are purines, include the information for genes that are used in biological functions of organisms.
Additional Information
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Some examples of other molecules classified as purines include hypoxanthine, xanthine, theobromine, caffeine, uric acid and isoguanine. Purines are mostly naturally found, and are crucial biological molecules in organisms.
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