Question

Adenine may also be named 6-amino purine. How would you name the other four nitrogenous bases, using this alternative system? (O is oxy, and \(\mathrm{CH}_{3}\) is methyl.)

Short answer

Answer: The alternative names for the nitrogenous bases are: 1. Guanine: 2-amino-6-oxy purine 2. Cytosine: 4-amino-2-oxy pyrimidine 3. Thymine: 5-methyl-2,4-dioxy pyrimidine 4. Uracil: 2,4-dioxy pyrimidine

Step-by-step solution

Identifying the functional groups

First, we should identify the functional groups in each of the nitrogenous bases. These functional groups typically include the amine group (NH2), carbonyl group (C=O), and methyl group (CH3). For RNA, the nitrogenous bases are Adenine (A), Guanine (G), Cytosine (C), and Uracil (U). For DNA, the nitrogenous bases are Adenine (A), Guanine (G), Cytosine (C), and Thymine (T).

Naming Guanine

Guanine is a purine with an amino group (NH2) at position 2 and a carbonyl group (C=O) at position 6 on the purine ring structure. Using the alternative naming system, Guanine can be named "2-amino-6-oxy purine".

Naming Cytosine

Cytosine is a pyrimidine with an amino group (NH2) at position 4 and a carbonyl group (C=O) at position 2 on the pyrimidine ring structure. Using the alternative naming system, Cytosine can be named "4-amino-2-oxy pyrimidine".

Naming Thymine

Thymine is a pyrimidine found in DNA with a carbonyl group (C=O) at position 2 and 4, and a methyl group (CH3) at position 5 on the pyrimidine ring structure. Using the alternative naming system, Thymine can be named "5-methyl-2,4-dioxy pyrimidine".

Naming Uracil

Uracil is a pyrimidine found in RNA with a carbonyl group (C=O) at position 2 and 4 on the pyrimidine ring structure. Using the alternative naming system, Uracil can be named "2,4-dioxy pyrimidine". In summary, the alternative names for the other four nitrogenous bases are: 1. Guanine: 2-amino-6-oxy purine 2. Cytosine: 4-amino-2-oxy pyrimidine 3. Thymine: 5-methyl-2,4-dioxy pyrimidine 4. Uracil: 2,4-dioxy pyrimidine