purine

pu·rine  (pyrn)

n.

1. A double-ringed, crystalline organic base, C₅H₄N₄, not known to occur naturally, from which is derived the nitrogen bases adenine and guanine, as well as uric acid as a metabolic end product.

2. Any of a group of organic compounds structurally related to purine, particularly adenine and guanine, and also caffeine, uric acid, theobromine, and theophylline.

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[German Purin : blend of Latin prus, clean; see pure, and New Latin ricus, uric (from Greek ouron, urine) + -in, -in, -ine.]

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purine [ˈpjʊəriːn], purin [ˈpjʊərɪn]

n

1. (Chemistry / Elements & Compounds) a colourless crystalline solid that can be prepared from uric acid. Formula: C₅H₄N₄

2. (Chemistry / Elements & Compounds) Also called purine base any of a number of nitrogenous bases, such as guanine and adenine, that are derivatives of purine and constituents of nucleic acids and certain coenzymes

[from German Purin; see pure, uric, -ine²]

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purine  (pyrn)

Any of a group of organic compounds containing two fused rings of carbon and nitrogen atoms. One ring has six members, the other has five, and each has two nitrogens. Purines include a number of biologically important compounds, such as adenosine, caffeine, uric acid, and the two bases adenine and guanine, which are components of DNA and RNA.

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	purine - any of several bases that are derivatives of purine alkali, base - any of various water-soluble compounds capable of turning litmus blue and reacting with an acid to form a salt and water; "bases include oxides and hydroxides of metals and ammonia" adenine, A - (biochemistry) purine base found in DNA and RNA; pairs with thymine in DNA and with uracil in RNA guanine, G - a purine base found in DNA and RNA; pairs with cytosine
	2.	purine - a colorless crystalline organic base containing nitrogen; the parent compound of various biologically important substances alkali, base - any of various water-soluble compounds capable of turning litmus blue and reacting with an acid to form a salt and water; "bases include oxides and hydroxides of metals and ammonia"