Biochemistry. a purine base, C 5 H 5 N 5 , 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.
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: C5H5N5; melting pt: 360–365°C
Word Origin and History for adenine
n.
crystaline base, 1885, coined by German physiologist/chemist Albrecht Kossel (1853-1927) from Greek aden "gland" (see inguinal) + chemical suffix -ine (2). So called because it was derived from the pancreas of an ox.
adenine in Medicine
adenine ad·e·nine (ād'n-ēn', -ĭn) n. Abbr. A A purine base that is a constituent of DNA and RNA and an important energy transport and storage component in cellular metabolism.
adenine in Science
adenine
(ād'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.