Uridine is one of four nucleosides used in genetic coding for RNA, and its complement is the nucleoside adenosine. Each molecule of uridine is comprised of 9 carbons, 12 hydrogens, 2 nitrogens, and 6 oxygen atoms, resulting in a molecular weight of 244.20. The melting point of purified crystalline needles of uridine, which are soluble in water, is 165 degrees Celsius. Within the body, the nucleoside plays an important role in the metabolism of carbohydrates, and, in the laboratory, the white odorless powder that can be extracted from yeast ribonucleic acids using a weak alkali solution is utilized in a variety of biochemical experiments and studies.