Question

Cytosine may also be named 2 -oxy- 4 -amino pyrimidine. How would you name the other four nitrogenous bases, using this alternative system? \(\left(\mathrm{CH}_{3} \text { is methyl. }\right)\)

Short answer

Question: Name the other four nitrogenous bases using the alternative naming system as shown for cytosine - "2-oxy-4-amino pyrimidine". Answer: The other four nitrogenous bases using the alternative naming system are as follows: 1. Adenine: 6-amino purine 2. Guanine: 2-amino-6-oxy purine 3. Thymine: 2,4-dioxy-5-methyl pyrimidine 4. Uracil: 2,4-dioxy pyrimidine

Step-by-step solution

Identify Nitrogenous Bases

The nitrogenous bases in DNA and RNA are adenine (A), guanine (G), cytosine (C), thymine (T), and uracil (U). Thymine is only found in DNA, while uracil is only found in RNA. We have already been given the name for cytosine.

Identify Functional Groups

For each nitrogenous base, we need to identify the functional groups present and their position on the pyrimidine or purine structure. 1. Adenine: 6-amino purine 2. Guanine: 2-amino-6-oxy purine 3. Thymine: 2,4-dioxy-5-methyl pyrimidine 4. Uracil: 2,4-dioxy pyrimidine

Naming the Nitrogenous Bases

Using the alternative naming system, we can enumerate the functional groups for each base as follows: 1. Adenine: 6-amino purine 2. Guanine: 2-amino-6-oxy purine 3. Thymine: 2,4-dioxy-5-methyl pyrimidine 4. Uracil: 2,4-dioxy pyrimidine

Key concepts

DNA

DNA, or deoxyribonucleic acid, is the blueprint of life. It carries the genetic instructions for the development, functioning, growth, and reproduction of all known living organisms and many viruses. DNA is a molecule made up of two strands that form a double helix structure.
Each strand is composed of repeating units called nucleotides, which consist of a sugar, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base. There are four types of nitrogenous bases in DNA:

• Adenine (A)
• Thymine (T)
• Cytosine (C)
• Guanine (G)

These bases pair specifically; adenine pairs with thymine and cytosine pairs with guanine, contributing to the DNA's unique structure and function. The order of these bases determines genetic instructions, serving as a biological keyboard for the organism. DNA sequences are responsible for the transmission of hereditary information from parents to offspring, a process known as heredity.

RNA

RNA, or ribonucleic acid, plays a crucial role in coding, decoding, regulation, and expression of genes. Unlike DNA, RNA is typically single-stranded and composed of ribonucleotides.
The nucleotide includes ribose sugar, a phosphate group, and one of four nitrogenous bases:

• Adenine (A)
• Uracil (U)
• Cytosine (C)
• Guanine (G)

h4 Function of RNA RNA serves a variety of functions, but its primary role is acting as a messenger between DNA and the ribosomes, the cell's protein factories. Messenger RNA (mRNA) conveys genetic information from DNA to the ribosome, where it specifies the amino acid sequence of the protein products of gene expression.
Other types of RNA, like transfer RNA (tRNA) and ribosomal RNA (rRNA), are involved in the protein synthesis process, ensuring that the amino acids are assembled in the correct order.

Purines

Purines are a type of nitrogenous base found in nucleic acids. They have a two-ring molecular structure. In nucleic acids, the two main purines are adenine (A) and guanine (G).
These bases are found in both DNA and RNA, and they play a vital role in storing and transferring genetic information. h4 Characteristics and Functions

• Purines are larger than pyrimidines due to their dual ring structure.
• Adenine pairs with thymine in DNA and with uracil in RNA.
• Guanine pairs with cytosine in both DNA and RNA, forming three hydrogen bonds, making this pair more stable compared to adenine-thymine or adenine-uracil pairs.
• Purines are agricultural biochemicals and are essential for energy transfer, serving as building blocks of adenosine triphosphate (ATP).

Pyrimidines

Pyrimidines, in contrast to purines, are nitrogenous bases with a single-ring structure. The common pyrimidines in our genetic blueprint are cytosine (C), thymine (T) in DNA, and uracil (U) in RNA.
The unique single-ring structure of pyrimidines allows them to pair with purines, maintaining the structure of nucleic acids. h4 Key Features and Importance

• Cytosine pairs with guanine, forming three hydrogen bonds, contributing to the stability of nucleic acid structures.
• Thymine is unique to DNA, while uracil is found in RNA.
• The pairing between purines and pyrimidines is critical for the formation of the DNA double helix and for the fidelity of the genetic code transfer.

Pyrimidines are essential for the integrity of genetic information storage and transfer. They play a role in metabolic processes, contributing to the regulation and production of nucleic acid structures.