GUANINE Meaning and
Definition
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Guanine is a noun that refers to a crystalline compound with the chemical formula C5H5N5O. It is one of the four nitrogenous bases, along with adenine, cytosine, and thymine, that are present in the nucleotides of DNA and RNA molecules. Guanine is classified as a purine base, containing a bicyclic structure consisting of a pyrimidine ring fused with an imidazole ring.
In the context of genetics, guanine plays a crucial role in the formation of DNA and RNA strands as it pairs with cytosine through hydrogen bonding in a complementary manner. This base pairing is fundamental for the double helix structure of DNA and the synthesis of proteins through the process of transcription and translation.
Guanine boasts distinctive physicochemical properties, making it an essential component of genetic material. It is characterized by a planar structure, allowing effective stacking interactions between adjacent bases. Additionally, guanine possesses a functional group called an amino group that makes it more basic compared to other bases.
Outside of the realm of genetics, guanine also has non-biological applications. It is widely known for its use in the production of certain dyes, such as the blue dye used in ink and fabric, due to its ability to absorb ultraviolet light. Additionally, guanine has been explored for its potential therapeutic applications in medicine, including cancer treatments and antiviral drugs.
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A leucomaine, C5H5N5O, occurring as a product of decomposition, and found as a deposit in a disease resembling gout in swine.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
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Etymology of GUANINE
The word "guanine" comes from the Spanish word "guano", which means "dung". This is because guanine was originally isolated from the excrement of seabirds, such as the Peruvian seabird called "guanay". The term "guanine" was coined in 1846 by the French chemist Claude-Louis Berthollet.
Similar spelling words for GUANINE
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