adenosine

American  

[uh-den-uh-seen, -sin] / əˈdɛn əˌsin, -sɪn /

noun

1. Biochemistry. a white, crystalline, water-soluble nucleoside, C 10 H 13 N 5 O 4 , of adenine and ribose.

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adenosine British  

/ ˌædɪˈnəʊsiːn, æˈdɛnəˌsiːn /

noun

1. biochem a nucleoside formed by the condensation of adenine and ribose. It is present in all living cells in a combined form, as in ribonucleic acids. Formula: C 10 H 13 N 5 O 4

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adenosine Scientific  

/ ə-dĕn′ə-sēn′ /

1. A compound consisting of adenine combined with ribose. Adenosine is one of the nucleotides in DNA and is also a component of ADP, AMP, and ATP. Chemical formula: C ₁₀ H ₁₃ N ₅ O ₄ .

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Etymology

Origin of adenosine

1905–10; < German Adenosin, blend of Adenin adenine and Ribose ribose

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Compare meaning

How does adenosine compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• adenine vs. adenosine

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

adenosine

The second track, “Heart Has to Work So Hard,” touches on the difficulty of making relationships work, but also mentions the biological compound adenosine, used by cardiologists to regulate the titular organ’s rhythm.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 29, 2026

Blocking HOXD13, VEGF, and adenosine pathways further demonstrated its importance for tumor survival.

From Science Daily ● Apr. 21, 2026

Caffeine blocks the adenosine receptors in your nerves, so your brain perceives less pain and fatigue.

From BBC ● Jul. 31, 2025

Caffeine is a psychostimulant that works by blocking the adenosine receptors in the brain, which are linked to sleep, memory and learning.

From Salon ● Dec. 22, 2024

Because adenosine levels in your brain decrease while you sleep, they’re at their lowest immediately after you wake up, Grandner said.

From Seattle Times ● Jun. 4, 2024

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