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Guanine

Guanine is a purine base found in nucleic acids such as DNA and RNA.

Chemical Formula: C₅H₅N₅O

Layman's explanation: Guanine is a purine base found in nucleic acids such as DNA and RNA. It is a nitrogenous base that pairs with the cytosine, a pyrimidine base, in nucleic acid. Certain derivatives of guanine such as GMP (guanine monophosphate) and GDP (guanine diphosphate) GTP (guanine triphosphate) are of significant importance in the living organism. For example, GTP is useful in carbohydrate metabolism and in the biosynthesis of proteins by converting ADP to ATP, thus transferring energy in living systems. Guanine plays a vital role in various biochemical pathways as well as in preserving genetic material.

Keywords: purine base, nucleic acid (DNA, RNA)

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