The Significance of Guanine-Cytosine Base Pairing in DNA and RNA: Structure, Stability, and Biological Processes

The base that pairs with Guanine with DNA and RNA

The base that pairs with Guanine in both DNA and RNA is Cytosine

The base that pairs with Guanine in both DNA and RNA is Cytosine. In DNA, Guanine (G) always pairs with Cytosine (C) through hydrogen bonding. Similarly, in RNA, Guanine (G) pairs with Cytosine (C). These base pairs are essential for the stability and structure of the DNA and RNA molecules.

The pairing of Guanine with Cytosine is based on complementary base pairing rules. In DNA, Guanine forms three hydrogen bonds with Cytosine, while in RNA, it forms two hydrogen bonds with Cytosine. The complementary base pairing ensures that the DNA strands bind together to form the characteristic double helix structure, while in RNA, it helps in the formation of RNA secondary structures.

The specificity of base pairing is crucial for several biological processes such as DNA replication, transcription (which produces RNA from DNA template), and translation (protein synthesis from RNA). During DNA replication, the double-stranded DNA molecule unwinds, and each strand serves as a template for the synthesis of a new complementary strand. The base pairing rules ensure that the newly synthesized DNA strand is identical to the original one.

Additionally, base pairing also plays a role in the stability of the DNA double helix. The inclusion of two complementary strands with specific base pairing results in a stable structure, as the hydrogen bonds between bases provide strength and integrity to the molecule.

In summary, in both DNA and RNA, Guanine pairs with Cytosine through hydrogen bonding, forming specific base pairs. Understanding the complementarity of these base pairs is crucial to various biological processes and the overall structure and stability of DNA and RNA molecules.

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