cytosine

[ sahy-tuh-seen, -zeen, -sin ]
/ ˈsaɪ təˌsin, -ˌzin, -sɪn /

noun Biochemistry.

a pyrimidine base, C4H5N3O, that is one of the fundamental components of DNA and RNA, in which it forms a base pair with guanine. Symbol: C
Compare cytidine, cytidine monophosphate.

Origin of cytosine

< German Cytosin (1894); see cyto-, -ose2, -ine2

Words nearby cytosine

cytoplasmic bridge, cytoplasmic inclusion body, cytoplasmic inheritance, cytoplast, cytoreductive therapy, cytosine, cytosine arabinoside, cytosine ribonucleoside, cytosis, cytoskeleton, cytosmear

British Dictionary definitions for cytosine

cytosine
/ (ˈsaɪtəsɪn) /

noun

a white crystalline pyrimidine occurring in nucleic acids; 6-amino-2-hydroxy pyrimidine. Formula: C 4 H 5 N 3 O See also DNA, RNA

Medical definitions for cytosine

cytosine
[ sī′tə-sēn′ ]

n.

A pyrimidine base that is an essential constituent of RNA and DNA.

Scientific definitions for cytosine

cytosine
[ sī′tə-sēn′ ]

A pyrimidine base that is a component of DNA and RNA, forming a base pair with guanine. Chemical formula: C4H5N3O.