uracil

[ yoor-uh-sil ]

noun

1. 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

uracil

/ ˈjʊərəsɪl /

noun

1. biochem a pyrimidine present in all living cells, usually in a combined form, as in RNA. Formula: C 4 H 4 N 2 O 2

uracil

/ yr′ə-sĭl /

1. A pyrimidine base that is a component of RNA. It forms a base pair with adenine during transcription. Uracil is therefore structurally analogous to thymine in molecules of DNA. Chemical formula: C 4 H 4 N 2 O 2 .

Word History and Origins

Origin of uracil¹

1905–10; ur- ¹ + ac(etic) + -il, of uncertain origin

Word History and Origins

Origin of uracil¹

C20: from uro- ¹+ acetic + -ile