Microbiology is a vast field that encompasses various other subjects under it. It includes protistology, mycology, immunology, virology, bacteriology, and parasitology. Two types of nitrogenases bases which make their compounds in both DNA and RNA i.e. Pyrimidine and Purine, forms the part of Microbiology.
Pyrimidine vs Purine
The difference between Pyrimidine and Purine is that Pyrimidine contains two carbon-nitrogen rings and four atoms of Nitrogen. While Purine contains one carbon-nitrogen ring and two atoms of Nitrogen. Pyrimidine has both high boiling and melting point. Whereas Purine has a low melting and boiling point. The melting point of Pyrimidine is 20 to 22 °C. Purine has a melting point of approximately 214 °C. Pyrimidines are smaller in size. While Purines are bigger as compared to Pyrimidine.
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The chemical formula of Pyrimidine is C4H4N2. The molar mass of Pyrimidine is 80.088 g mol−1. The melting and boiling point of Pyrimidine are 20 to 22 °C and 123 to 124 °C
Poutine is a bigger compound. It is water-soluble. The chemical formula of Purine is C5H4N4. Purines are generally found in the products that are rich in proteins like in meat products such as kidneys and liver.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of Comparison | Pyrimidine | Purine |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | 1 hexo-cyclic ring | 1 pentose and 1 hexose ring |
| Size | Smaller | Bigger |
| Source | Thymine, Cytosine, Uracil | Adenine and Guanine |
| Solubility | Insoluble in water | Soluble in water |
| Boiling Point | 123 to 124 °C | 424 °C |
| Melting Point | 22°C | 214 °C |
| Catabolism | Carbon dioxide, beta-amino acids and ammonia. | Uric acid |
| Biosynthesis | Tissues | Liver |
What is Pyrimidine?
Pyrimidines are an organic cyclic compound and consist of six rings with two atoms of Nitrogen. There are two nucleobases in DNA made by Pyrimidine, i.e. Cytosine and Thiamine. In RNA, it forms Uracil.
They can be found in many synthetic compounds like barbiturates and the HIV drug zidovudine. Uric acid and alloxan, derivatives of Pyramidines, were known earlier.
A proper study of Pyramidines began in 1884 by Adolf Pinner, who was a German chemist. The name was also given by Pinner in 1885. Electronic substitution of Pyrimidine is not very easy.
What is Purine?
Purines also help in the metabolic and signalling process in the compounds like guanosine monophosphate (GMP) and adenosine monophosphate (AMP). The cellular processes also Purines are needed.
Its functions as biomolecules in other major processes like GTP, cyclic AMP, ATP, NADH, and coenzyme A. It is not found purely in nature. But can be synthesized using organic compounds.
In plants, they are found in low amounts. Sources of high Purines include sardines, liver, beef kidneys, sweetbreads, anchovies, brains, scallops, game meats, meat extracts, herring, mackerel, and gravy.
Main Differences Between Pyrimidine and Purine
- Catabolism in Pyrimidine produces Carbon dioxide, beta-amino acids and ammonia. Catabolism in Purine produces Uric acid.
- Biosynthesis in Pyrimidine takes place in tissues. Biosynthesis of Purine takes place in the Liver.
- https://www.annualreviews.org/doi/abs/10.1146/annurev.arplant.57.032905.105421
- https://academic.oup.com/nar/article-abstract/6/9/3073/2359652
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Piyush Yadav has spent the past 25 years working as a physicist in the local community. He is a physicist passionate about making science more accessible to our readers. He holds a BSc in Natural Sciences and Post Graduate Diploma in Environmental Science. You can read more about him on his bio page.
