Purines and Pyrimidines
Purines and pyrimidines are both organic compounds that take part in the synthesis of DNA and RNA, therefore they are called as the building blocks of the genetic material – DNA and RNA. They are nitrogenous bases that make up the two different nucleotides in DNA and RNA.
Purines (adenine and guanine) are two-carbon nitrogen ring bases while pyrimidines (cytosine and thymine) are one-carbon nitrogen ring bases.
Also Read: Amino Acids
Given below in a tabular column are the differences between Purines and Pyrimidines.
Purine vs Pyrimidine
| Purines | Pyrimidines |
| Purine is a heterocyclic aromatic organic compound composed of a pyrimidine ring fused with imidazole ring. | Pyrimidine is a heterocyclic aromatic organic compound that is composed of carbon and hydrogen. |
| It comprises adenine and guanine as nucleobases. | It comprises cytosine, thymine, uracil as nucleobases |
| It consists of two hydrogen-carbon rings and four nitrogen atoms | It consists of one hydrogen-carbon ring and two nitrogen atoms |
| The melting point of purine is 214 °C | The melting point of pyrimidine is 20-22 °C |
| Catabolism results in the production of uric acid | Catabolism produces carbon dioxide, beta-amino acids and ammonia |
Also Read: Differences Between DNA and RNA
Both purine and pyrimidine have similar functions. They are vital for the production of DNA and RNA, starch and proteins. They also serve as a form of energy for cells. They regulate enzymes and are necessary for cell signalling.
Also Refer: Energy Currency of the Cell
Related Links:
| Difference Between Organic and Inorganic Compounds | Difference Between Allotropes and Isotopes |
| Difference Between Covalent and Ionic Bond | Difference Between Anions and Cations |
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