In an analysis of the nucleotide composition of a molecule of DNA, which of the following combinations of base pairs will be found?A) A = CB) A = G and C = T C) A + C = G + T D) G + C = T + A
In a molecule of DNA, the base pairs are always formed between specific base pairs
In a molecule of DNA, the base pairs are always formed between specific base pairs. The four bases found in DNA are adenine (A), thymine (T), cytosine (C), and guanine (G). The specific base pairing rules in DNA are that adenine (A) always pairs with thymine (T), and cytosine (C) always pairs with guanine (G).
Based on this information, we can analyze the given combinations:
A) A = C: This is not a valid base pairing combination. Adenine (A) does not pair with cytosine (C), so this option is incorrect.
B) A = G and C = T: This combination is also not valid. Adenine (A) always pairs with thymine (T), not guanine (G). Cytosine (C) always pairs with guanine (G), not thymine (T). Therefore, this option is incorrect.
C) A + C = G + T: This combination is incorrect as well. When we add adenine (A) and cytosine (C), we get (A + C). When we add guanine (G) and thymine (T), we get (G + T). However, these two combinations are not equal. The correct pairing is A-T and C-G. Therefore, this option is incorrect.
D) G + C = T + A: This is the correct combination. In DNA, guanine (G) always pairs with cytosine (C), and thymine (T) always pairs with adenine (A). Therefore, this option is correct.
The correct answer is D) G + C = T + A.
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