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

Key concepts

Chemical Nomenclature

Chemical nomenclature is like the language chemists use to speak about molecules. It helps in identifying the structure and makeup of compounds through names. For the nitrogenous bases in DNA and RNA, the usual names—adenine, guanine, cytosine, thymine, and uracil—can be transformed using systematic naming.
One method makes use of the position of functional groups on the molecular rings. Functional groups often change how a molecule behaves and include things like amino groups (NH2), carbonyl groups (C=O), and methyl groups (CH3). By naming each base according to the positions of these groups, scientists can communicate clearly about the specifics of each molecule.
For example:

• Guanine is named "2-amino-6-oxy purine" because the amino group is at position 2 and the carbonyl group at position 6 on the purine ring.
• Cytosine is dubbed "4-amino-2-oxy pyrimidine" due to its amino group at position 4 and carbonyl at position 2 on the pyrimidine ring.

This systematic approach can be extremely useful in chemical research and documentation, ensuring precision when identifying or synthesizing these components.

DNA and RNA Differences

DNA and RNA are both vital for life and are made up of long chains of nucleotides, which consist of a sugar, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base. Even though they share many similarities, they serve different functions and have structural differences.
DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) is the hereditary material in humans and most other organisms, storing genetic information in sequences of its four bases: adenine (A), guanine (G), cytosine (C), and thymine (T). DNA forms a double helix structure, which is like a twisted ladder.
In contrast, RNA (ribonucleic acid) is mainly involved in protein synthesis and varies in structure, usually being single-stranded. RNA replaces thymine with uracil (U), making its set of bases adenine, guanine, cytosine, and uracil.

• Thymine in DNA becomes Uracil in RNA, reflecting a shift in nitrogenous bases between DNA and RNA.
• DNA is double-stranded while RNA is typically single-stranded, allowing it to perform different roles.

These differences are crucial for the specific roles each molecule plays in biology, from replication to protein production.

Structural Biochemistry

Structural biochemistry is the field that delves into the architecture of biological molecules like nucleic acids, proteins, and lipids. It helps us understand how the form of these molecules relates to their function in biological systems.
Nitrogenous bases are key players in genetic information storage and translation. The actual shape and structure of each nitrogen base affect how strands of DNA or RNA pair up and fit together.
Purines, such as adenine and guanine, feature a two-ring structure. This enables them to pair with pyrimidines, like cytosine, thymine, and uracil, which have a single-ring structure. This paring happens via hydrogen bonds, holding the sequences together much like rungs on a ladder.

• Purines and pyrimidines must complement each other to stabilize DNA and RNA structures.
• The specific positions of functional groups on each base affect how they form bonds, dictating the three-dimensional structure of these nucleic acids.

Understanding structural biochemistry guides researchers in exploring genetic materials and developing innovative therapies and technologies.