Definition

A type of organic compound that has a double-ring structure and is important in biology, as it forms part of DNA and RNA, and includes bases like adenine and guanine.

Example

Purine is essential for the synthesis of nucleotides in living organisms.

Conversation

Have you ever heard of purine?

Yeah, isn’t it something to do with DNA or RNA?

Exactly! It’s a base that forms part of those molecules.

That’s pretty cool — I didn’t know it was so important!

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Purine → The word is derived from 'purin' (from the German 'Purine', meaning a compound related to urea) and the suffix '-e' (used in chemical nomenclature). Purine refers to a class of compounds that include adenine and guanine, which are essential components of nucleic acids.

Memory Tip

Think of 'purin' as a base compound related to urea, which helps you remember that purine is a fundamental building block in DNA and RNA.

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