Definition of Purine

---

A purine is an aromatic compound that is composed of two rings. The rings contain the atoms of carbon and nitrogen and hence purines are heterocyclic compounds. The aromatic rings of purines have four atoms of nitrogen in it. The size of the purine is larger as compared to the pyrimidine ring. The purines have the ability to solubilize in water.

 

---

The purines are synthesized in the liver and their catalysis leads to the formation of uric acid. The nucleotides that make up the DNA and RNA are composed of nitrogenous bases which maybe purine or pyrimidine in nature.

 

---

Example of Purine:

Two nitrogenous bases that are purine in nature and are part of the DNA and RNA are adenine and guanine.