Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

purine

Noun
/ˈpjʊərɪn/
Definition
A type of organic compound that consists of a fused double-ring structure containing nitrogen atoms, playing a crucial role in biochemistry.
Examples
  • Purines are found in many foods and are important for cell metabolism.
  • In human biochemistry, purines are involved in the synthesis of ATP (adenosine triphosphate).
Meaning
Purines are essential components of nucleotides, which are the building blocks of nucleic acids like DNA and RNA.
Synonyms
  • None (purine is a specific biochemical term)