Definition of purine
1 : a crystalline base C5H4N4 that is the parent of compounds of the uric-acid group
2 : a derivative of purine; especially : a base (such as adenine or guanine) that is a constituent of DNA or RNA
From the M-W Editors
Origin and Etymology of purine
German Purin, from Latin purus pure + New Latin uricus uric (from English uric) + German -in 2-ine
Medical Dictionary
purine
playMedical Definition of purine
1: a crystalline base C5H4N4 that is the parent of compounds of the uric-acid group
2: a derivative of purine; especially : a base (as adenine or guanine) that is a constituent of DNA or RNA
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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about purine
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