Pronunciation: [ˈadənˌiːn] (IPA) 
Adenine is a nucleobase commonly found in DNA and RNA. Its English spelling stems from the French word adénine, which comes from the Greek word aden, meaning "gland." The word is pronounced as /ˈædənɪn/ in IPA phonetic transcription. The "a" is pronounced like the "a" in "cat," the "d" like a "t" at the end of a syllable, the "e" like the "e" in "bet," and the "i" like the "i" in "sit." The second "n" is silent.
Adenine is a noun that refers to a purine base, specifically a nitrogenous organic compound. It is one of the four major nucleobases that make up the building blocks of DNA and RNA, along with guanine, cytosine, and thymine (uracil in the case of RNA). Adenine is often represented by the letter "A" in genetic code.
In terms of its structure, adenine contains a double-ring system consisting of a pyrimidine ring fused with an imidazole ring. The nitrogen atoms present in these rings play a critical role in hydrogen bonding with other nucleobases, thus contributing to the stability and structure of DNA and RNA molecules.
Furthermore, adenine has important biological functions. It serves as a component of ATP (adenosine triphosphate), a molecule responsible for energy transfer within cells. It is also vital in various metabolic processes, such as the synthesis of DNA, RNA, and proteins. Adenine acts as a chemical signal, contributing to cellular communication and regulation.
From a medical perspective, adenine is associated with genetic disorders like adenosine deaminase deficiency, which leads to severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID). Additionally, adenine is present in certain medications and supplements, such as adenosine and coenzyme A, highlighting its significance in pharmaceutical applications.
In summary, adenine is a fundamental component of DNA and RNA, playing a vital role in genetic and cellular processes. Its structure, function, and chemical properties make it a crucial molecule in the field of molecular biology and genetics.
Aminopurin; a crystalline alkaloid or leucomaine of the uric acid group, C5H5N5, present in the pancreas, spleen, kidneys, and other glands; it is found in the urine in leucocythemia.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "adenine" derives from the name of the organ in which it was first discovered - "adenoids", which are a collection of lymphoid tissues located in the back of the nasal cavity. Adenine was first isolated from these adenoids in 1885 by the German scientist Albrecht Kossel. The name "adenine" was given to the compound by Kossel, who named it after the adenoids from which it was obtained.
