Which term describes a nitrogenous base with a double-ring structure?

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 term describes a nitrogenous base with a double-ring structure?

Explanation:
Nitrogenous bases in nucleic acids come in two structural families: purines and pyrimidines. Purines have two fused rings, giving a larger double-ring structure, while pyrimidines have a single ring. This distinction is all about the ring count in the base’s structure. Adenine and guanine are purines, while cytosine, thymine, and uracil are pyrimidines. Nucleosides and nucleotides describe bases that are linked to sugar (and possibly phosphate) but do not define the ring architecture. So, a nitrogenous base with a double-ring structure is a purine.

Nitrogenous bases in nucleic acids come in two structural families: purines and pyrimidines. Purines have two fused rings, giving a larger double-ring structure, while pyrimidines have a single ring. This distinction is all about the ring count in the base’s structure. Adenine and guanine are purines, while cytosine, thymine, and uracil are pyrimidines. Nucleosides and nucleotides describe bases that are linked to sugar (and possibly phosphate) but do not define the ring architecture. So, a nitrogenous base with a double-ring structure is a purine.

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