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A-Level

Biological Molecules

Question

What does complementary base pairing mean?

2 years ago

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1 Reply

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A

Audrey O'Conner


1 Answer

H
Hasan Shahzad

A DNA molecule has 2 strands. Complementary base pairing is when a base on one strand 'matches/is complementary to/ fits with' the base on the opposite strand.

An easy way of remembering which bases are complementary is the word 'taxi' but instead 'TAGC'

T and A are complementary and have 2 hydrogen bonds between them

G and C are complementary and have 3 hydrogen bonds between them.


Hope this helps!


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