Question

Which of the following statements is correct with respect to purines?

(a) Purines are heterocyclic compounds

(b) Purines are 7 membered structure

(c) Purines are single-ring structure

(d) Thymine is an example of purine

This question was posed to me in an interview.

My enquiry is from Molecular Basis of Inheritance in division Molecular Basis of Inheritance of Biology – Class 12

Answer 1

Correct choice is (a) Purines are heterocyclic compounds

Explanation: Purines are a type of nitrogenous bases which are heterocyclic compounds. They are 9 membered and are double-ring structures. Nitrogen is present at the positions-1, 3, 7 and 9 of the ring. Adenine and guanine are the only two examples of purines.