Bromouracil is a chemical compound that is commonly used in molecular biology studies. It is a derivative of the nucleotide base uracil and is often used to study DNA replication and mutation. In this article, we will explore the definition and meaning of bromouracil, its origin, and its associations in different contexts.
Definitions
Bromouracil is a synthetic analog of uracil, one of the four nucleotide bases found in DNA. It is a halogenated pyrimidine that is often used as a mutagen in genetic research. When incorporated into DNA, bromouracil can cause mutations by altering the base pairing properties of DNA.
Origin
Bromouracil was first synthesized in the 1950s by chemists at the University of California, Berkeley. It was initially used as a herbicide but soon found its way into molecular biology research due to its mutagenic properties.
Meaning in different dictionaries
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, bromouracil is “a synthetic nucleotide analog of uracil that is used especially as a mutagen in genetic research.”.
The Oxford English Dictionary defines bromouracil as “a synthetic analogue of the base uracil, used as a mutagen in genetic research.”.
Associations
Bromouracil is commonly used in molecular biology research to study DNA replication and mutation. It is often used as a mutagen to induce point mutations in DNA to study the effects of these mutations on gene expression and protein function.
In addition to its use in research, bromouracil has also been used as a herbicide and pesticide. However, its use in these applications has been largely discontinued due to concerns about its potential toxicity.
Synonyms
Some synonyms for bromouracil include 5-bromouracil, 5-bromo-2,4(1H,3H)-pyrimidinedione, and BrU.
Antonyms
As a chemical compound, bromouracil does not have antonyms.
The same root words
Bromouracil is a compound made up of two root words: bromo- and uracil. Bromo- refers to the presence of a bromine atom in the compound, while uracil is one of the four nucleotide bases found in DNA.
Example Sentences
- The researchers used bromouracil to induce mutations in the DNA sequence and study the effects on protein function.
- The herbicide containing bromouracil was banned due to concerns about its potential toxicity.
- The chemical structure of bromouracil includes a halogenated pyrimidine ring.