cytosine
Meaning
A compound found in living tissue as a constituent base of nucleic acids. It is paired with guanine in double-stranded DNA.
Structure
Usage
Cytosine is one of the four main nucleobases found in DNA and RNA.
A point mutation occurred when adenine was substituted for cytosine in the genetic sequence.
The chemical structure of cytosine includes a six-membered ring with two nitrogen atoms.
Etymology
The term 'cytosine' is a modern scientific construction, coined in the late 19th century as the chemical constituents of the cell nucleus were being identified. The root 'cyt-' is derived from the Greek kytos, meaning a container or cell, reflecting the substance's discovery within cellular material. The suffix '-ine' is a standard chemical denoter for organic bases and nitrogenous compounds. Thus, the word's literal construction as "a cellular base" directly and logically names its biological origin and chemical nature as one of the fundamental building blocks of genetic material within the cell.
Analysis
cyt: From Greek kytos (a hollow, a cell). Functional role: root, indicating relation to a cell. os: A Greek noun-forming suffix, often used in scientific terms. ine: A suffix used in chemistry to form names of substances, especially alkaloids and other basic compounds or amino acids.