Which base is not a pyrimidine base?

Study for the Biochemistry Module 6 Exam. Study with flashcards and multiple choice questions; each question includes hints and explanations. Gear up to ace your test!

Multiple Choice

Which base is not a pyrimidine base?

Explanation:
Think about the two classes of nucleotide bases: purines, which have two fused rings, and pyrimidines, which have a single ring. Cytosine, uracil, and thymine are all pyrimidines, each built from one ring. Adenine, in contrast, is a purine with two rings. Since the question asks which base is not a pyrimidine, adenine is the correct choice because its structure places it in the purine category. (In DNA thymine pairs with adenine, and in RNA uracil pairs with adenine, reflecting the purine–pyrimidine pairing pattern.)

Think about the two classes of nucleotide bases: purines, which have two fused rings, and pyrimidines, which have a single ring. Cytosine, uracil, and thymine are all pyrimidines, each built from one ring. Adenine, in contrast, is a purine with two rings. Since the question asks which base is not a pyrimidine, adenine is the correct choice because its structure places it in the purine category. (In DNA thymine pairs with adenine, and in RNA uracil pairs with adenine, reflecting the purine–pyrimidine pairing pattern.)

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