Identify each of the following as a purine or a pyrimidine and name them.
b.

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the difference between purines and pyrimidines. Purines are larger, double-ring structures, while pyrimidines are smaller, single-ring structures. This distinction is key to identifying the molecule.
2. Step 2: Examine the structure provided in the image. Look for the number of rings in the molecule. If it has two fused rings, it is a purine. If it has a single ring, it is a pyrimidine.
3. Step 3: Identify specific features of the molecule, such as the arrangement of nitrogen atoms and functional groups. Purines typically include adenine and guanine, while pyrimidines include cytosine, thymine, and uracil.
4. Step 4: Compare the structure in the image to known purine and pyrimidine structures. Match the molecule to its corresponding name based on its unique features.
5. Step 5: Once identified, classify the molecule as either a purine or pyrimidine and provide its name based on the structural match.

Key Concepts

Purines

Purines are one of the two classes of nitrogenous bases found in nucleic acids, characterized by a double-ring structure. The two primary purines in DNA and RNA are adenine (A) and guanine (G). These bases play crucial roles in the storage and transfer of genetic information, as they pair with specific pyrimidines during DNA and RNA synthesis.

Pyrimidines

Pyrimidines are the second class of nitrogenous bases, distinguished by a single-ring structure. The main pyrimidines in nucleic acids are cytosine (C), thymine (T), and uracil (U). In DNA, thymine pairs with adenine, while in RNA, uracil replaces thymine and pairs with adenine, contributing to the overall structure and function of nucleic acids.

Nucleic Acids

Nucleic acids, including DNA and RNA, are biopolymers essential for all known forms of life. They are composed of long chains of nucleotides, which consist of a sugar, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base (either purine or pyrimidine). The sequence of these bases encodes genetic information, guiding the synthesis of proteins and regulating cellular activities.