adenine

[ ad-n-in, -een, -ahyn ]
/ ˈæd n ɪn, -ˌin, -ˌaɪn /

noun

Biochemistry. a purine base, C5H5N5, one of the fundamental components of nucleic acids, as DNA, in which it forms a base pair with thymine, and RNA, in which it pairs with uracil. Symbol: A

Origin of adenine

1880–85; < German Adenin; see aden-, -ine2

Words nearby adenine

adenectopia, adenemphraxis, adenese, adeni, adeniform, adenine, adenine deoxyribonucleotide, adenine nucleotide, adenitis, adenization, adeno-

Example sentences from the Web for adenine

  • Adenine and guanine are constituents of all nucleic acids (see below) and, hence, are found in all plant and animal tissues.

    The Chemistry of Plant Life |Roscoe Wilfred Thatcher

British Dictionary definitions for adenine

adenine
/ (ˈædənɪn, -ˌniːn, -ˌnaɪn) /

noun

a purine base present in tissues of all living organisms as a constituent of the nucleic acids DNA and RNA and of certain coenzymes; 6-aminopurine. Formula: C 5 H 5 N 5; melting pt: 360–365°C

Medical definitions for adenine

adenine
[ ăd′n-ēn′, -ĭn ]

n.

A purine base that is a constituent of DNA and RNA and an important energy transport and storage component in cellular metabolism.

Scientific definitions for adenine

adenine
[ ăd′n-ēn′ ]

A purine base that is a component of DNA and RNA, forming a base pair with thymine in DNA and with uracil in RNA. Adenine is also part of other biologically important compounds, such as ATP, NAD, and vitamin B-12, and occurs in tea. Chemical formula: C5H5N5.