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Multiple Choice
Based on complementary base pairing, you would expect the percentage of __________ to be equal to the percentage of __________.
A
adenine; guanine
B
thymine; guanine
C
adenine; cytosine
D
thymine; cytosine
E
adenine; thymine
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the concept of complementary base pairing in DNA. DNA is composed of two strands that form a double helix. Each strand is made up of nucleotides, which include a sugar, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base.
Identify the four nitrogenous bases in DNA: adenine (A), thymine (T), cytosine (C), and guanine (G).
Recall the base pairing rules: adenine (A) pairs with thymine (T), and cytosine (C) pairs with guanine (G). This is due to the hydrogen bonds that form between these specific pairs.
Based on these pairing rules, the percentage of adenine in a DNA molecule will be equal to the percentage of thymine, and the percentage of cytosine will be equal to the percentage of guanine.
Apply this knowledge to the problem: Since adenine pairs with thymine, the percentage of adenine should be equal to the percentage of thymine in the DNA molecule.