Get the FREE one-click dictionary software for Windows
or the iPhone/iPad and Android apps
Noun: purine  'pyûr,een
  1. A colourless crystalline organic base containing nitrogen; the parent compound of various biologically important substances
    "Purine is a key component of DNA and RNA"
     
  2. Any of several bases that are derivatives of purine
    "Adenine and guanine are examples of purine bases in DNA"

Derived forms: purines

Type of: alkali, base

Encyclopedia: Purine