DEOXYTHYMIDINE Meaning and
Definition
-
Deoxythymidine, also known as thymidine or 2'-deoxythymidine, is a nucleoside that plays a crucial role in the formation of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid). It is composed of two components: a nitrogenous base called thymine and a sugar molecule called deoxyribose. Thymidine is one of the four nucleosides found in DNA, along with deoxyadenosine, deoxycytidine, and deoxyguanosine.
Thymidine is an essential building block in the synthesis of DNA strands during cell replication and division. It acts as a precursor for the construction of DNA molecules, where it pairs specifically with adenine (A) through hydrogen bonding. This complementary base pairing between thymidine and adenine ensures the accurate replication and transmission of genetic information.
In addition to its role in DNA structure, thymidine also plays a crucial role in other cellular processes. It is involved in regulatory mechanisms, particularly in the regulation of gene expression and cell cycle control. Thymidine kinase, an enzyme, phosphorylates thymidine to form thymidine monophosphate, which is a key step in the nucleotide salvage pathway.
In research and medical fields, deoxythymidine and its analogs are commonly used as tools for studying various cellular processes, such as DNA replication, repair, and the synthesis of antiviral drugs. Additionally, its selective incorporation into cellular DNA has been explored for therapeutic approaches in cancer treatment, primarily through the inhibition of DNA synthesis in rapidly dividing cancer cells.
Overall, deoxythymidine is a fundamental molecule in the construction of DNA and plays vital roles in cellular processes, making it an important component of genetic research and various medical applications.
Common Misspellings for DEOXYTHYMIDINE
- seoxythymidine
- xeoxythymidine
- ceoxythymidine
- feoxythymidine
- reoxythymidine
- eeoxythymidine
- dwoxythymidine
- dsoxythymidine
- ddoxythymidine
- droxythymidine
- d4oxythymidine
- d3oxythymidine
- deixythymidine
- dekxythymidine
- delxythymidine
- depxythymidine
- de0xythymidine
- de9xythymidine
- deozythymidine
Etymology of DEOXYTHYMIDINE
The word "deoxythymidine" is a combination of multiple terms.
The prefix "deoxy" refers to the absence of an oxygen atom. In this case, it indicates that deoxythymidine is a modified form of thymidine.
"Thymidine" is derived from "thymine", one of the four nucleobases found in DNA. Thymine is named after the thymus gland, from which it was initially isolated.
Overall, the term "deoxythymidine" indicates that it is a nucleoside consisting of thymine modified by the removal of an oxygen atom.
Infographic
Add the infographic to your website:
