guanine

noun

gua·​nine ˈgwä-ˌnēn 

: a purine base C₅H₅N₅O that codes genetic information in the polynucleotide chain of DNA or RNA compare adenine, cytosine, thymine, uracil

Examples of guanine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The key shows the universal elements (hydrogen, oxygen, carbon and nitrogen), the four bases of the DNA molecule (adenine, cytosine, guanine and thymine) with their molecular structure, where they’re placed in the DNA double helix, and how genes are arranged on a chromosome. —New Atlas, 19 Sep. 2024

Agilent developed a way to print strands of DNA from the four nucleic acid bases—cytosine (C), guanine (G), adenine (A), and thymine (T). —Phillip W. Barth, IEEE Spectrum, 25 Mar. 2024

In the double helix of DNA, the four types of bases in the opposing strands are paired, with guanine (G) bound to cytosine (C) and thymine (T) bound to adenine (A). —Dan Samorodnitsky, Quanta Magazine, 17 Jan. 2024

The molecule is made up of the chemical bases adenine, cytosine, guanine, and thymine—shortened to A, C, G, and T—which pair off to form a double helix. —Emily Mullin, WIRED, 4 Dec. 2023

Word History

Etymology

guano + -ine; from its being found especially in guano

First Known Use

1850, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

guanine

noun

gua·​nine ˈgwän-ˌēn 

: a purine base that codes genetic information in DNA and RNA compare adenine, cytosine, thymine, uracil

Medical Definition

guanine

noun

gua·​nine ˈgwän-ˌēn 

: a purine base C₅H₅N₅O that codes genetic information in the polynucleotide chain of DNA or RNA compare adenine, cytosine, thymine, uracil