kids encyclopedia robot

Cytosine facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Cytosine
Cytosine chemical structure.png
IUPAC name 4-amino-3H-pyrimidin-2-one
Identifiers
CAS number 71-30-7
PubChem 597
MeSH Cytosine
SMILES C1=C(NC(=O)N=C1)N
Properties
Molecular formula C4H5N3O
Molar mass 111.102
Melting point

320 - 325°C (decomp)

Except where noted otherwise, data are given for
materials in their standard state
(at 25 °C, 100 kPa)

Infobox disclaimer and references

Cytosine is one of the 5 main nucleobases used in storing and transporting genetic information within a cell in the nucleic acids DNA and RNA.

In DNA and RNA, cytosine is paired with guanine. However, it is unstable, and can change into uracil (spontaneous deamination). This can lead to a point mutation if not repaired by the DNA repair enzymes such as uracil glycosylase, which cleaves a uracil in DNA.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Citosina para niños

kids search engine
Cytosine Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.