Purines are one of two families of nitrogen-containing molecules called nitrogenous bases. Pyrimidines are the other family of nitrogenous bases. Nitrogenous bases are needed to construct the genetic material in every living organism. Common substances, like caffeine, are purines, and purines are even used to develop many important medications. They are also an essential part of DNA. This places purines, as well as pyrimidines, among the most important of all biological molecules.