uracil vs. thymine

uracil vs. thymine: What's the difference?

Uracil and thymine are both pyrimidine bases that pair with adenine to create nucleic acids. When uracil, C₄H₄N₂O₂, pairs with adenine, it makes up part of RNA. When thymine, C₅H₆N₂O₂, pairs with adenine, it makes up part of DNA.

uracil

[yoor-uh-sil] / ˈyʊər ə sɪl /

noun

Biochemistry. a pyrimidine base, C 4 H 4 N 2 O 2 , that is one of the fundamental components of RNA, in which it forms base pairs with adenine. U

thymine

[thahy-meen, -min] / ˈθaɪ min, -mɪn /

noun

Biochemistry.

a pyrimidine base, C 5 H 6 N 2 O 2 , that is one of the principal components of DNA, in which it is paired with adenine. T