If you were a biologist, I’m sure you would have used these terms- thymine and thiamine. Have you interchanged the two of them in any instance? Let’s dive deep and see how they are widely different.
Thymine
Thymine is one of the four nucleotides present in DNA. It is seen pairing with adenine through double hydrogen bonds. Thymine’s structure is ring-like and contains four carbon atoms and two nitrogen atoms. Its IUPAC name is 5-methyl-1H-pyrimidine-2,4-dione, also called 5-methyl uracil. Uracil is a nucleotide that replaces thymine in RNA.
An interesting fact about thymine is the formation of thymine dimers upon exposure to UV radiation. If the DNA is exposed to UV light, a specialized class of enzymes induces the formation of two thymines adjacent to each other in a reaction known as photoreactivation. When two bulky thymine groups are next to each other, they form kinks that affect replication and transcription, resulting in cell damage.
Thiamine
Thiamine is the water-soluble vitamin B1 in several fruits, beans, and lentils. It is used to treat beriberi (characterized by tingling and numbness in the feet). The disease is caused by a deficiency of vitamin B1, an essential micronutrient. Vitamin B falls under 8 classes ranging from vitamin B1 to B8. They are thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, pyridoxin, biotin, folic acid, and cyanocobalamin. These vitamins help the body convert carbohydrates into glucose. The 8 B vitamins (also known as B complex), help break down fats and proteins. Thiamine is a crucial cofactor in the breakdown of carbohydrates.
As you can see, they are widely different. So, the next time you are confused between the two similar words, you know they are completely different.
Comment below with any questions that you are curious to find answers to.
That was informative, thanks.