cytosine

[ sahy-tuh-seen, -zeen, -sin ]

noun

, Biochemistry.

1. a pyrimidine base, C 4 H 5 N 3 O, that is one of the fundamental components of DNA and RNA, in which it forms a base pair with guanine. : C

cytosine

/ ˈsaɪtəsɪn /

noun

1. See RNA, DNA
   a white crystalline pyrimidine occurring in nucleic acids; 6-amino-2-hydroxy pyrimidine. Formula: C 4 H 5 N 3 O See also DNA RNA

cytosine

/ sī′tə-sēn′ /

1. A pyrimidine base that is a component of DNA and RNA, forming a base pair with guanine. Chemical formula: C 4 H 5 N 3 O.

Word History and Origins

Origin of cytosine¹

< German Cytosin (1894); cyto-, -ose ², -ine ²