Adenine facts for kids

Adenine is a very important molecule that helps build DNA and RNA. Think of it as one of the main "letters" in the genetic code. These special molecules are often called nitrogenous bases because they contain nitrogen.

How Adenine Works

Adenine plays a key role in how our bodies store and use genetic information.

In DNA

In DNA, which is like the instruction manual for your body, adenine always pairs up with another molecule called thymine. They connect with two weak links called hydrogen bonds. These connections help hold the two strands of DNA together, making the DNA structure strong and stable.

In RNA

RNA is another important molecule that helps carry out the instructions from DNA. When DNA's instructions are copied into RNA, adenine pairs with a different molecule called uracil. RNA is found in the cytoplasm (the jelly-like substance inside cells) and is essential for making proteins, which do most of the work in our bodies.

The Story of Adenine

Adenine has an interesting past and connections to other important substances.

Early Discoveries

Long ago, adenine was sometimes called Vitamin B4. However, scientists later learned that it's not a vitamin itself. But, adenine does work closely with two real B vitamins: niacin and riboflavin. When these vitamins combine with adenine, they form vital helpers called NAD and FAD. These helpers are crucial for many chemical reactions that keep your body running.

Origin Theories

Some scientists have wondered if adenine was one of the first molecules to form when life began on Earth. One idea suggests that it might have been created from five simple molecules called hydrogen cyanide. However, this idea is not widely accepted by everyone in the scientific community.

Images for kids

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  Adenine on Crick and Watson's DNA molecular model, 1953. The picture is shown upside down compared to most modern drawings of adenine, such as those used in this article.

See also

In Spanish: Adenina para niños