Nitrogenous base

Several chemicals with a similar cyclic structure, each known as a nitrogenous base, play several important roles in biology. A nitrogenous base is not only the building blocks of the information genetics which transports molecules such as DNA and RNA, but that different forms of the nitrogenous base serve a variety of cellular functions, from transduction from signals to the growth of microtubules.

In DNA and RNA, a nitrogenous base forms a bond with a molecule sugar molecule of carbon 5-sided, forming a “spine“for the whole molecule. One more nitrogenous base plus this sugar backbone is known as a nucleotide and forms the building blocks of DNA and RNA.

Nitrogenous base within nucleic acids

Purines and pyrimidines

When talking about a nitrogenous base in the context of DNA or RNA, it is important to note that there are two kinds of nitrogenous base bases. Each nitrogenous base shares one characteristic: a six-sided ring with 4 carbon atoms and 2 atoms of nitrogen. A purine has an additional 5-sided ring, created by 1 more carbon and 2 more nitrogen atoms. A nitrogenous base of pyrimidine has only 1 six-sided ring. Each nitrogenous base has unique bonds, which makes it function in a unique way within DNA or RNA. Each base can be seen in the picture below.

Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)

The following picture shows the structure of DNA. DNA has a “backbone” of deoxyriboseshown here as colourless molecules with a 5′ and 3′ end. These numbers refer to the exposed carbons on the sugar chain, which gives the DNA its directionality and readability. This allows various proteins to read and process the DNA efficiently.

Each coloured molecule represents a nitrogenous base. Note how each nitrogenous base is paired with the nitrogenous base in front of it. This is called base pairing and is an important part of DNA replication, repair and maintenance. Seen here in a proper configuration, each pyrimidine is paired with a purine, which allows for multiple hydrogen bonds. These bonds, the dotted lines in the image above, keep the DNA in a regular spiral shape, as well as protect the DNA from a nitrogenous base being accidentally broken.

The enzymes that repair and maintain DNA can “detect” malformations caused by missing hydrogen bonds. If, for example, two purines tried to pair up, they could not form hydrogen bonds. A repair enzyme would find a “bump” or irregularity in the DNA. Certain enzymes can then cut out and replace the incorrect base.

Ribonucleic acid (RNA)

There are two notable differences between RNA and DNA. The first is in the name itself. Whereas DNA is based on deoxyribose, RNA is based on ribose. The only difference between ribose and deoxyribose is an atom of oxygen.

The second difference between DNA and RNA is that RNA uses a slightly different set of nitrogenous bases. In the picture below, an RNA molecule replaces the thymine by uracil. The reasons for this are not fully understood, although RNA is generally a shorter-lived molecule. In addition, RNA often exists as a single strand, rather than a double strand with hydrogen bonds. This is not always the case, as seen in the viruses of double-stranded RNA, but RNA is typically single-stranded in most animals.

Regardless of whether the nucleic acid is DNA or RNA, the basic formula is the same. Take a nitrogenous base, add a 5-carbon sugar with a phosphorus and join them together. The bonds formed between the phosphorus group and the oxygen group of the following 5-carbon ring are called phosphodiester bond and form the backbone of both RNA and DNA.

How a nitrogenous base carries genetic information

Each nitrogenous base contains little information in itself. Rather, each nitrogenous base is read as a unit, with two other bases. These three-base packets of information are called codons. Each codon specifies a specific amino acid. Put together in the right order and folded into shape, a chain of amino acids creates a protein. These proteins then carry out the functions of life, including everything from growth to reproduction.

It takes about 3,000,000,000,000 base pairs to create a functional human being. This means that there are around 6,000,000,000,000 individual bases in each cell of your body. While this may seem like a huge amount, your body is constantly processing and replicating your DNA. This is probably the primary and most important function of a nitrogenous base for any organism.

Nitrogenous bases in other cellular functions

Energy transfer

The storage of genetic information is not the only task of bases. Many are used in the transfer of energy between food molecules such as glucose and the energy needs of proteins within the cell. The most recognised of these molecules is the adenine triphosphatemore commonly known as ATP. While biology textbooks often refer to this molecule as the universal energy transfer molecule of the cell, it is important to note that it is based on the adeninethe nitrogenous base.

While ATP is widely recognised in a number of cellular reactions, it is not the only one that serves in cellular energy transfer. Another molecule, the guanine triphosphate (GTP), is used in several cellular functions. GTP opens protein channels, aids in the formation of microtubules, and even energises the import of important proteins into the cell. mitochondria. This, in turn, helps to produce more ATP through the aerobic respirationwhich drives cell growth.

Phone signal

A nitrogenous base may also play important roles in the cell signallinga process known as signal transduction. The general scheme involves a series of chemical messengers acting on various proteins within a cell to send a signal. A cell in the pancreas can measure glucose in the blood. bloodtransduce a signal to release insulin and disperse insulin into the bloodstream. This process is integrated and coordinated by a number of factors involving a nitrogenous base.

ATP and cyclic adenine monophosphate play important roles in intracellular signalling such as this. Their relationship drives various chemical reactions to different points of equilibrium, which in effect drives the activities of the cell. GTP is involved in a number of pathways from growth and metabolism to the signalled cell death (apoptosis).