Structured Lists Directory

Overview

DNA and RNA Nitrogenous Bases

DNA and RNA nitrogenous bases are the five nitrogen-containing bases that constitute nucleic acids carrying genetic information. They include Adenine (A), Thymine (T), Cytosine (C), Guanine (G), and Uracil (U). DNA contains four bases (A, T, C, G) while RNA contains four bases (A, U, C, G). These bases form hydrogen bonds following specific complementary pairing rules (A-T/U, G-C), forming the foundation for DNA's double helix structure and the replication and transcription of genetic information. Classified into purines (double-ring structure) and pyrimidines (single-ring structure), they serve as the molecular foundation of life and form the core of molecular biology and genetics.

molecular biology genetics nucleic acids DNA RNA base pairing biochemistry
code slug name description chemicalFormula classification complementaryPair_dna complementaryPair_rna foundIn hydrogenBonds
A adenine Adenine A purine base found in both DNA and RNA. C₅H₅N₅ Purine T U ["DNA","RNA"] 2
T thymine Thymine A pyrimidine base found only in DNA. C₅H₆N₂O₂ Pyrimidine A ["DNA"] 2
C cytosine Cytosine A pyrimidine base found in both DNA and RNA. C₄H₅N₃O Pyrimidine G G ["DNA","RNA"] 3
G guanine Guanine A purine base found in both DNA and RNA. C₅H₅N₅O Purine C C ["DNA","RNA"] 3
U uracil Uracil A pyrimidine base found only in RNA. C₄H₄N₂O₂ Pyrimidine A ["RNA"] 2

The five nitrogenous bases (A, T, C, G, U) that constitute nucleic acids.