How many hydrogen bonds are formed between guanine and cytosine?

Study for the Biochemistry Module 6 Exam. Study with flashcards and multiple choice questions; each question includes hints and explanations. Gear up to ace your test!

Multiple Choice

How many hydrogen bonds are formed between guanine and cytosine?

Explanation:
Guanine and cytosine pair through three hydrogen bonds, giving the GC base pair greater stability than the AT pair. These three bonds arise from specific donor-acceptor interactions between functional groups on the two bases: one bond forms from the amino group on cytosine (N4-H) donating a hydrogen to the carbonyl oxygen on guanine (O6); a second bond comes from the N1-H of guanine donating to the N3 of cytosine; a third bond occurs from the N2 amino group on guanine donating to the carbonyl oxygen on cytosine (O2). Because three such favorable interactions exist, the G–C pairing involves three hydrogen bonds.

Guanine and cytosine pair through three hydrogen bonds, giving the GC base pair greater stability than the AT pair. These three bonds arise from specific donor-acceptor interactions between functional groups on the two bases: one bond forms from the amino group on cytosine (N4-H) donating a hydrogen to the carbonyl oxygen on guanine (O6); a second bond comes from the N1-H of guanine donating to the N3 of cytosine; a third bond occurs from the N2 amino group on guanine donating to the carbonyl oxygen on cytosine (O2). Because three such favorable interactions exist, the G–C pairing involves three hydrogen bonds.

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