What is the correct pairing of nitrogenous bases?
The correct pairing of nitrogenous bases in DNA is adenine (A) with thymine (T), and guanine (G) with cytosine (C)
The correct pairing of nitrogenous bases in DNA is adenine (A) with thymine (T), and guanine (G) with cytosine (C). This pairing is known as complementary base pairing.
Adenine and thymine are bonded together by two hydrogen bonds, while guanine and cytosine are bonded together by three hydrogen bonds. These base pairs are essential for maintaining the overall structure and stability of DNA.
The complementary base pairing allows for the accurate replication of DNA during cell division. When DNA is replicated, the two strands of the double helix separate, and each strand serves as a template for the synthesis of a new strand. The nucleotide bases on each template strand direct the formation of a complementary strand by following the base-pairing rules.
For example, if one DNA strand has the base sequence AGCT, its complementary strand would have the sequence TCGA. This pairing ensures that the genetic information encoded in DNA is accurately preserved and copied.
Understanding the correct pairing of nitrogenous bases is crucial not only for DNA replication but also for various other cellular processes such as DNA transcription and translation, which are involved in protein synthesis.
More Answers:
The Fascinating Structure and Significance of the DNA Double HelixThe Role of Hydrogen Bonds in Stabilizing and Providing Specificity to DNA Structure
The Importance of DNA Structure and Replication: Understanding the Double Helix and Genetic Information Transmission