What are purine bases in DNA and RNA?

In the context of DNA and RNA, purine bases are characterized by their double-ring structure, which distinguishes them from pyrimidine bases that have a single-ring structure. The two purine bases found in DNA and RNA are adenine and guanine.

Adenine (A) and guanine (G) are essential components of nucleotides, the building blocks of nucleic acids. In DNA, adenine pairs with thymine (T), while in RNA, adenine pairs with uracil (U). Guanine pairs with cytosine (C) in both DNA and RNA.

This characteristic of adenine and guanine as purines is crucial for understanding the structure and function of DNA and RNA, including how genetic information is stored and transferred within living organisms.