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What Are Nitrogen Rings?

There is a lot of nitrogen to be found on the planet Earth. In fact, about 78 percent of the atmosphere is nitrogen, which is atomic number 7. In the entire universe, nitrogen is the fifth most common element. It assumes a gaseous state at room temperature. Like other elements, nitrogen has the ability to form rings. That is, nitrogen atoms can share electrons with other atoms to form strong bonds in roughly the shape of a ring.

Forming Rings
- The element that most naturally forms rings and other kinds of bonds is carbon. In fact, carbon is rare among elements in that it doesn't need other elements in order to form rings; carbon atoms can make rings with only other carbon elements. Indeed, when nitrogen atoms form rings they most often do so with carbon atoms. Carbon and nitrogen bonds are one of the most common bonds in all of chemistry, too. They form a covalent bond, which means they share electrons. Nitrogen also commonly bonds with hydrogen to create ammonia.
Pyrimidines
- A common form of nitrogen ring is a pyrimidine. This is a ring with six atoms in it. The nitrogen atoms take the first and third positions of the ring. Pyrimidines especially important to human beings are those that serve as the building blocks of RNA and DNA; namely, thymine, which is in DNA, uracil, which is in RNA, and cytosine, found in both.
Purines
- Another major form of nitrogen ring is a purine. Purines are found in human body cells as well as in many of the foods human beings eat. Many meats (especially kidneys) and high protein foods are also loaded with purines. Purines are broken down by the body's digestive system into a substance called uric acid, which helps to protect the vessels of the circulatory system.
Conclusion
- Everything we see and touch is either an element or a combination of elements. Nitrogen atoms, and the rings these atoms form with carbon, are among the most helpful and vital in our environments. Nitrogen rings form the compounds that allow us to pass on our genes, supply us with energy, and offer us protection. Indeed, the element nitrogen was first discovered in 1772, but today we're still unlocking its many amazing secrets.

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