The Difference Between Purines and Pyrimidines
Both are building blocks of nucleic acids; DNA and RNA. The very major and prominent difference between purines and pyrimidines is that purines are di-ring while pyrimidines are mono-ring compounds, which mean purines are made of 2 rings attached while pyrimidines are made of a single ring.
These are organic compounds that are a part of the nucleic acids (DNA & RNA) synthesis. Purines and pyrimidines are also considered as building blocks of DNA and RNA.
Adenine, Thymine, Cytosine, Uracil, and Guanine are nitrogenous bases that are specifically categorized into purines and pyrimidines. Out of these 5 nitrogenous bases, Adenine and Guanine are purines which means there are 2 carbon-nitrogen ring bases, but on the other hand, Thymine, Uracil, and Cytosine are categorized as pyrimidines and are single-carbon-nitrogen ring bases.
Difference between Purines and Pyrimidines side-by-side:
| Purines | Pyrimidines | |
| 1. | These are heterocyclic aromatic compounds consist of a pyrimidine ring fused to an imidazole ring. | Pyrimidine is a heterocyclic aromatic organic compound similar to benzene and pyridine which contain two nitrogen atoms at 1 and 3 positions of the six-member ring. |
| 2. | These are bigger in size than pyrimidines. | These are smaller in size than purines. |
| 3. | It is a recipe that contains Adenine and Guanine nitrogenous bases. | Its recipe contents are Thymine, Uracil, and Cytosine. |
| 4. | It melts at 214 degrees Celsius. | It melts between the temperature of 20-22 degrees Celsius. |
| 5. | Its catalysis ultimately gives uric acid. | Its catalysis gives amino-acids, ammonia, and carbon dioxide. |
| 6. | There are two carbon-nitrogen rings and four nitrogen atoms in a pyrimidine ring merged to an imidazole ring. | There are two nitrogen atoms and one carbon-nitrogen ring. |
| 7. | Possess molar mass 120.11 g mol-1. | Possess molar mass of 80.08 g mol-1. |
| 8. | It has molecular formula is C5H4N4. | It has molecular formula is C4H4N2. |
What is Purine and Pyrimidine Function?
Purine and Pyrimidine functions are the same as both are heterocyclic aromatic compounds. Both are considered as energy reserves for the cell, also these function for RNA and DNA production, the production of starches, proteins, enzyme regulation, and signaling of the cell.
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