uracil
Definition
- Noun:
- A nitrogen-containing base found in RNA: Uracil is one of the four nucleobases in the nucleic acid RNA. It is a pyrimidine derivative and forms a base pair with adenine during RNA transcription and translation.
- A specific organic compound: In biochemistry, uracil refers to the specific heterocyclic, aromatic organic compound with the formula C₄H₄N₂O₂.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- In RNA, uracil replaces thymine, which is found in DNA.
- The scientist studied how uracil pairs with adenine in a strand of messenger RNA.
- A point mutation can occur if cytosine is deaminated to uracil.
Advanced Usage
- "Uracil residue": Refers to a single uracil unit within an RNA chain.
- The modification of a specific uracil residue can affect protein synthesis.
- "Uracil-DNA glycosylase": An enzyme that removes uracil from DNA, where it is not normally found, as part of DNA repair.
- Uracil-DNA glycosylase is crucial for maintaining genomic integrity.
Variants and Related Words
- Uridine (n): The nucleoside formed when uracil is attached to a ribose sugar ring.
- Uridine is a component of RNA.
- Deoxyuridine (n): A compound similar to uridine but with deoxyribose instead of ribose.
Synonyms
- Pyrimidine base: A broader category to which uracil belongs.
- RNA base: A functional description of its role.
Related Phrases
- Base pair: The partnership between two nucleobases (e.g., uracil-adenine).
- The stability of an RNA helix depends on its base pairs.
- Nucleobase: The general term for the basic compounds that make up nucleic acids like RNA and DNA.
Noun
-
a base containing nitrogen that is found in RNA (but not in DNA) and derived from pyrimidine; pairs with adenine
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