guanine

noun

gua·​nine ˈgwä-ˌnēn How to pronounce guanine (audio)
: 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
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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 See all Example Sentences for guanine 

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1850, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of guanine was in 1850

Dictionary Entries Near guanine

Cite this Entry

“Guanine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/guanine. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

guanine

noun
gua·​nine ˈgwän-ˌēn How to pronounce guanine (audio)
: a purine base that codes genetic information in DNA and RNA compare adenine, cytosine, thymine, uracil

Medical Definition

guanine

noun
gua·​nine ˈgwän-ˌēn How to pronounce guanine (audio)
: a purine base C5H5N5O that codes genetic information in the polynucleotide chain of DNA or RNA compare adenine, cytosine, thymine, uracil

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