PREMIERPREP EDUCATIONAL CONSULT

PCG 311- PURINES AND PYRIMIDINES

30 theory practice questions on PURINES AND PYRIMIDINES

1. Definition & Structure: Define a purine and describe its basic chemical
structure.
2. What are the two common purine derivatives found in DNA?
3. Explain the fused-ring system that characterizes purines.
4. Definition & Structure: Define a pyrimidine and outline its general
chemical structure.
5. In a pyrimidine ring, at which positions are the nitrogen atoms located?
6. Which pyrimidine derivatives are typically present in DNA?
7. Describe the roles of purines and pyrimidines in the structure of nucleic
acids.
8. Explain how the specific base pairing between purines and pyrimidines
maintains the double-helical structure of DNA.
9. Which base does adenine (a purine) pair with in DNA, and what does it
pair with in RNA?
10. Which base does guanine (a purine) pair with in both DNA and RNA?
11. Why is precise base pairing essential for accurate replication and
transcription of genetic information?
12. List at least three health conditions or genetic disorders that can result
from mispairing of nucleotide bases.
13. What are the three structural subunits that make up a nucleotide?
14. How do nucleosides differ from nucleotides in terms of their chemical
composition?
15. Describe the de novo pathway for nucleotide biosynthesis.
16. What is the nucleotide salvage pathway, and why is it important?
17. What role does PRPP (phosphoribosyl pyrophosphate) play in
nucleotide synthesis?
18. Which amino acids are involved in the biosynthesis of the purine ring?
19. What is the precursor molecule for the synthesis of the pyrimidine ring
in the de novo pathway?
20. Explain the difference between the keto and enol forms of nucleotide
bases.
21. Why is the keto form of guanine important for stable base pairing in
DNA?
22. What potential consequence can arise from the enol form of a
nucleotide base during DNA replication?
23. Define tautomerism and discuss its significance in the context of
nucleic acids.
24. How can tautomeric shifts in nucleotide bases affect drug action,
polymorphism, and drug delivery?
 25. At approximately what wavelength do all nucleotide bases strongly
absorb UV light?
26. Why is the absorption at 260 nm commonly used when analyzing
nucleic acids?
27. Describe the role of NADH in cellular metabolism and its benefits for
brain function.
28. How does the replenishment of NAD⁺ contribute to improved
mitochondrial function and potentially impact neurodegenerative
disorders?
29. Discuss the pharmacological importance of purines, particularly in ATP
and adenosine, in cellular signaling and metabolism.
30. Explain the connection between disturbances in CoA
biosynthesis/homeostasis and diseases such as cancer,
neurodegenerative disorders, and cardiovascular conditions.

ANSWERS TO THE 30 THEORY PRACTICE QUESTIONS

1. Define a purine and describe its basic chemical structure.

Answer: A purine is described as a colourless chemical compound with
basic properties. It is a heterocyclic aromatic organic compound
composed of a pyrimidine ring fused to an imidazole ring. This gives
purines a two‐ring structure containing nine atoms, four of which are
nitrogen. The slide specifically highlights that the popular substituted
derivatives of purines in DNA are Adenine and Guanine.

2. What are the two common purine derivatives found in DNA?

Answer: The two common purine derivatives found in DNA are Adenine
and Guanine. These are the substituted derivatives of the purine ring
that play a key role in the genetic material.

3. Explain the fused‐ring system that characterizes purines.

Answer: Purines are characterized by a fused‐ring system where a
pyrimidine ring is joined with an imidazole ring. This fusion creates a
bicyclic structure with nine atoms (including four nitrogen atoms). This
structural framework is critical because it serves as the basis for
forming the substituted derivatives such as Adenine and Guanine.

4. Define a pyrimidine and outline its general chemical structure.

Answer: A pyrimidine is defined as a colourless and crystalline
chemical compound with basic properties. Chemically, it is structured
as a six‐membered ring composed of four carbon atoms and two
nitrogen atoms. The two nitrogen atoms are specifically located at
positions 1 and 3 within the ring.

5. In a pyrimidine ring, at which positions are the nitrogen atoms located?

Answer: In a pyrimidine ring, the nitrogen atoms are located at
positions 1 and 3.

6. Which pyrimidine derivatives are typically present in DNA?

 Answer: The typical pyrimidine derivatives present in DNA are Thymine
and Cytosine. (In RNA, Uracil replaces Thymine.)

7. Describe the roles of purines and pyrimidines in the structure of

nucleic acids.
Answer: Purines and pyrimidines are the fundamental heterocyclic
bases that form nucleotides—the monomeric units of nucleic acids.
When combined with a sugar (ribose or 2-deoxyribose) and phosphate
groups, they form nucleotides that polymerize to form DNA and RNA.
Their specific pairing (Adenine with Thymine or Uracil, and Guanine
with Cytosine) is essential for maintaining the structural integrity and
the accurate replication of genetic information.

8. Explain how the specific base pairing between purines and

pyrimidines maintains the double-helical structure of DNA.
Answer: The double-helical structure of DNA is maintained by specific
hydrogen bonding between purines and pyrimidines. Adenine (a purine)
pairs with Thymine in DNA (or Uracil in RNA) via two hydrogen bonds,
and Guanine (a purine) pairs with Cytosine via three hydrogen bonds.
This precise pairing ensures the uniform width of the double helix and
is critical for accurate replication and transcription.

9. Which base does adenine (a purine) pair with in DNA, and what does it
pair with in RNA?
Answer: In DNA, adenine pairs with Thymine. In RNA, adenine pairs
with Uracil.

10. Which base does guanine (a purine) pair with in both DNA and RNA?
Answer: Guanine pairs with Cytosine in both DNA and RNA.

11. Why is precise base pairing essential for accurate replication and
transcription of genetic information?
Answer: Precise base pairing ensures that the genetic code is faithfully
duplicated during DNA replication and accurately transcribed into
mRNA. Any deviation or error in pairing can lead to mismatches, which
may result in mutations or genetic disorders. The lecture emphasizes
that “the precise pairing of purines and pyrimidines ensures accurate
replication and transcription of genetic information,” and disruptions
can lead to errors that affect cell function.

12. List at least three health conditions or genetic disorders that can
result from mispairing of nucleotide bases.
Answer: According to the lecture, mispairing of nucleotide bases can
lead to several health conditions including:

o Sickle cell anemia

o Cystic fibrosis
o Huntington’s disease
The slide also mentions other conditions such as various
cancers, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, diabetes,
obesity, and metabolic syndrome.
13. What are the three structural subunits that make up a nucleotide?
Answer: A nucleotide is composed of three main subunits:

a. A sugar (ribose in RNA or 2-deoxyribose in DNA)

b. A heterocyclic base (either a purine or pyrimidine)
c. A phosphate group (linked via phosphodiester bonds)
14. How do nucleosides differ from nucleotides in terms of their chemical
composition?
Answer: Nucleosides consist of only two components: a heterocyclic
base (purine or pyrimidine) and a carbohydrate (sugar) joined by an N-
glycosidic bond. Nucleotides are nucleosides that have one or more
phosphate groups attached, making them the complete monomeric
units of nucleic acids.

15. Describe the de novo pathway for nucleotide biosynthesis.

Answer: The de novo pathway synthesizes nucleotides from simple
precursor molecules rather than recycling degraded nucleic acids. In
this process:

o Purine nucleotides are synthesized from amino acids such as

glycine, glutamine, and aspartate.
o Pyrimidine nucleotides are synthesized from carbamoyl
phosphate (formed from bicarbonate and NH₃) and aspartate.
This pathway is highly conserved among living organisms and is
essential for cell metabolism and proliferation.
16. What is the nucleotide salvage pathway, and why is it important?
Answer: The nucleotide salvage pathway involves the recovery and
recycling of bases and nucleosides derived from the degradation of
RNA and DNA or from external sources. This pathway is crucial
because it conserves energy and resources by converting these
breakdown products back into nucleotides, thereby ensuring that the
cell maintains an adequate supply of these vital molecules.

17. What role does PRPP (phosphoribosyl pyrophosphate) play in

nucleotide synthesis?
Answer: PRPP serves as the donor of ribose-phosphate in the
synthesis of nucleotides. It is produced from ATP and ribose-5-
phosphate by the enzyme PRPP synthetase. PRPP is essential for both
the de novo and salvage pathways of nucleotide biosynthesis.

18. Which amino acids are involved in the biosynthesis of the purine ring?
Answer: The amino acids involved in the biosynthesis of the purine ring
are glycine, glutamine, and aspartate.

19. What is the precursor molecule for the synthesis of the pyrimidine
ring in the de novo pathway?
Answer: The precursor molecule for pyrimidine synthesis is carbamoyl
phosphate, which is formed from bicarbonate and ammonia (NH₃), and
is combined with aspartate to build the pyrimidine ring.

20. Explain the difference between the keto and enol forms of nucleotide
 bases.
Answer: Nucleotide bases can exist in two tautomeric forms:

o The keto form contains a carbonyl group (C=O) and is the more
stable form found in bases such as guanine, thymine, and uracil
under physiological conditions.
o The enol form contains a hydroxyl group (OH) and is less stable,
present in much lower concentrations. The enol form can lead to
mispairing during DNA replication because its altered hydrogen
bonding may cause it to pair incorrectly.
21. Why is the keto form of guanine important for stable base pairing in
DNA?
Answer: The keto form of guanine is crucial because it enables
guanine to form three strong hydrogen bonds with cytosine. This stable
pairing is essential for maintaining the double-helical structure of DNA
and for ensuring the accuracy of genetic information during replication.

22. What potential consequence can arise from the enol form of a
nucleotide base during DNA replication?
Answer: If a nucleotide base adopts the enol form, it may mispair
during DNA replication. For example, the enol form of guanine might
pair with thymine instead of cytosine, leading to mismatches. Such
mispairing can result in point mutations, which over time may
contribute to genetic disorders.

23. Define tautomerism and discuss its significance in the context of

nucleic acids.
Answer: Tautomerism is a chemical phenomenon where a compound
can exist in multiple structural forms (tautomers) that are easily
interconvertible. In nucleic acids, tautomerism is significant because
different tautomeric forms of the bases can alter hydrogen bonding
patterns. This can lead to incorrect base pairing during DNA replication
and potentially cause mutations. Additionally, tautomerism can
influence drug interactions and properties.

24. How can tautomeric shifts in nucleotide bases affect drug action,
polymorphism, and drug delivery?
Answer: Tautomeric shifts can change the hydrogen bonding and three
-dimensional structure of nucleotide bases. Such changes may affect
how drugs bind to their targets, leading to variations in drug efficacy
(drug action). Moreover, different tautomeric forms can result in
polymorphism—variations in crystal structure—which can impact drug
solubility, stability, and delivery.

25. At approximately what wavelength do all nucleotide bases strongly

absorb UV light?
Answer: All nucleotide bases strongly absorb UV light at wavelengths
near 260 nm.

26. Why is the absorption at 260 nm commonly used when analyzing

nucleic acids?
 Answer: The absorption at 260 nm is commonly used because it
corresponds to the strong UV absorbance of the nucleotide bases. This
wavelength provides a consistent and reliable measure for quantifying
both ribonucleotides and deoxyribonucleotides in nucleic acid samples.

27. Describe the role of NADH in cellular metabolism and its benefits for
brain function.
Answer: NADH plays a critical role in cellular metabolism by
participating in the electron transport chain, which is essential for ATP
production. The lecture notes that NADH is used to improve mental
clarity, alertness, concentration, and memory. It is also applied in
enhancing athletic endurance and treating chronic fatigue syndrome
(CFS) because of its central role in energy production. Moreover, NADH
is implicated in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease through its
metabolic benefits.

28. How does the replenishment of NAD⁺ contribute to improved

mitochondrial function and potentially impact neurodegenerative
disorders?
Answer: Replenishing NAD⁺ levels leads to improved mitochondrial
function by enhancing mitochondrial biogenesis and reducing the
accumulation of damaged mitochondria. Since reduced NAD⁺ levels
are linked to brain aging and neurodegenerative disorders, restoring
NAD⁺ helps improve energy production and cellular health, which may
alleviate conditions like Alzheimer’s disease.

29. Discuss the pharmacological importance of purines, particularly in

ATP and adenosine, in cellular signaling and metabolism.
Answer: Purines are of great pharmacological importance because
they are integral to cellular metabolism and signaling. In molecules
such as ATP and adenosine, the purine structure enables them to act
as key metabolic intermediates and messengers. These molecules
participate in various cellular functions including energy transfer, signal
transduction, and even serve as targets for chemotherapeutic agents.
Their structural characteristics also make them valuable in designing
drugs with controlled effects, such as anti-cancer therapies or
chemical donors in chemoprotection.

30. Explain the connection between disturbances in CoA

biosynthesis/homeostasis and diseases such as cancer,
neurodegenerative disorders, and cardiovascular conditions.
Answer: Disturbances in CoA (coenzyme A) biosynthesis or
homeostasis can lead to significant metabolic imbalances. The lecture
notes that CoA defects are linked to neurodegenerative diseases such
as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Additionally, perturbations in CoA
metabolism are associated with cancer, as they can affect cellular
proliferation and energy metabolism. CoA is also connected to
cardiovascular diseases—including cardiac hypertrophy, myocardial
ischemia, reperfusion injury, and hypertension—highlighting its
essential role in maintaining normal cellular and metabolic functions.