Question

\(\mathrm{N}^{6}\) -furfurylamino purine is which derivative? (a) Indole compounds (b) Adenine (c) Terpenes (d) Carotenoids

Short answer

The \(\mathrm{N}^{6}\) -Furfurylamino purine is a derivative of the molecule 'adenine'. Thus, option (b) Adenine, is the correct answer.

Step-by-step solution

Find the Structure of \(\mathrm{N}^{6}\) -Furfurylamino Purine

\(\mathrm{N}^{6}\) -Furfurylamino purine is a derivative of a purine compound. In chemical terms, 'furfurylamino' refers to a furan ring (a 5-membered aromatic ring with four carbon atoms and one oxygen atom) joined through an amino group. In \(\mathrm{N}^{6}\) -furfurylamino purine, the furfurylamino group is attached to the purine structure at nitrogen atom number 6.

Identify the Category

Having found that \(\mathrm{N}^{6}\) -Furfurylamino purine is a derivative of a purine compound, it is important to recognize which class of molecules it falls into. Purine is a heterocyclic aromatic organic compound. The purine structure is found in many biological molecules including ATP, GTP, cyclic AMP, NADH, and coenzyme A. Therefore, the category of \(\mathrm{N}^{6}\) -furfurylamino purine among the given options is 'adenine', since adenine is a form of purine.

Key concepts

Purine Structure

Purines are a fundamental component of many significant biological molecules that play critical roles in various biochemical processes. The core structure of a purine is a fused two-ring system containing carbon and nitrogen atoms. There are nine atoms in total, with four nitrogen atoms and five carbon atoms arranged in a unique, bicyclic formation. This structure is responsible for the purine's ability to form multiple hydrogen bonds, which is crucial for its role in nucleic acids like DNA and RNA.

Purines are divided into two major components: the pyrimidine ring and the imidazole ring. Each has distinct bonding patterns that contribute to the molecule's overall stability and ability to stack within nucleic acids.

• The pyrimidine ring forms the base of the structure and is shared with pyrimidine molecules, which are another type of nitrogenous base.
• The imidazole ring is fused onto the pyrimidine portion, completing the purine structure.

Understanding the purine structure is essential in grasping their function in genetic information storage and energy transfer processes.

Heterocyclic Compounds

Heterocyclic compounds are a diverse class of organic compounds that contain atoms of at least two different elements as members of their rings. These elements often include carbon and nitrogen, but can also feature oxygen and sulfur. The key characteristic of heterocyclic compounds is their ring of atoms that forms part of their molecular structure.

The aromaticity of these compounds, as seen in purines, provides stability and affects the way these molecules interact with biological systems. Heterocyclic compounds are classified into two categories based on the number of rings:

• Monocyclic heterocycles, like pyrrole and furan, which contain only one ring system.
• Polycyclic heterocycles, such as purines, which consist of multiple integrated rings.

Heterocyclic compounds are ubiquitous in nature and play vital roles in metabolism, pharmacology, and as building blocks in the structure of DNA and RNA.

Biological Molecules

Biological molecules, also known as biomolecules, are essential substances that occur naturally in living organisms. They include a wide range of molecules like proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, and lipids. Among these, nucleic acids, such as DNA and RNA, are of particular interest when studying purines, as they are composed of long chains of nucleotides.

Nucleotides are the building blocks of nucleic acids and consist of a purine or pyrimidine base, a sugar molecule, and one or more phosphate groups. In the case of purines, adenine and guanine are key players. These bases are critical for encoding the genetic information that governs cellular activities.

• ATP, a derivative of adenine, serves as the primary energy carrier in cells.
• NADH and coenzyme A are other important biological molecules derived from purines that play roles in metabolic pathways.

Understanding these biological molecules provides insight into the complex mechanisms of life and highlights the importance of purine derivatives in biological systems.