Difference between Purines and Pyrimidines: Purines and pyrimidines are two types of aromatic heterocyclic organic compounds, which are ring structures that contain nitrogen and carbon atoms. Both are similar to pyridine (C5H5N), an organic molecule related to benzene (C6H6) with one carbon atom replaced by nitrogen.
These compounds are important in organic chemistry and biochemistry because they are the foundation for many molecules, including caffeine, theobromine, theophylline, and thiamine. Furthermore, they are necessary components of nucleic acids like deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA). The article below discusses the difference between purines and pyrimidines.
Difference Between Purines and Pyrimidines | ||
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Parameters | Purines | Pyrimidines |
Origin | Adenine and guanine in DNA and RNA | Thymine in DNA; Uracil in RNA; Cytosine in RNA and DNA |
Size | Larger | Smaller |
Structure | Consists of pentose and hexose rings | Single hexo-cyclic ring |
Chemical Formula | C5H4N4 | C4H4N2 |
Solubility | Soluble in water | Insoluble in water |
Catabolic End Product | Uric acid | Carbon dioxide, beta-amino acids, and ammonia |
Melting Point | Higher (214°C) | Lower (22°C) |
Molecular Mass | 120.115 g/mol | 80.08 g/mol |
Biosynthesis Location | Liver | Various tissues |
Structure | Double ring with one being pyrimidine | Single ring |
Nitrogenous Bases | Adenine, guanine | Cytosine, uracil, thymine |
Uses | DNA, RNA, vitamins, drugs, energy storage, protein and starch synthesis, cell signaling, enzyme regulation | DNA, RNA, drugs, energy storage, protein and starch synthesis, enzyme regulation, cell signaling |
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