In DNA, adenine pairs with thymine.

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

In DNA, adenine pairs with thymine.

Explanation:
Base pairing in DNA follows a consistent pattern that preserves the helix structure: a purine on one strand pairs with a pyrimidine on the opposite strand, and specific hydrogen-bonding arrangements make these pairings favorable. Adenine is a purine and pairs with thymine, a pyrimidine, through two hydrogen bonds, which provides a stable A–T connection and keeps the DNA backbone spacing uniform. This specificity is part of why adenine does not pair with cytosine or guanine. Uracil, by contrast, appears in RNA and can pair with adenine there, but thymine is the DNA-specific partner for adenine.

Base pairing in DNA follows a consistent pattern that preserves the helix structure: a purine on one strand pairs with a pyrimidine on the opposite strand, and specific hydrogen-bonding arrangements make these pairings favorable. Adenine is a purine and pairs with thymine, a pyrimidine, through two hydrogen bonds, which provides a stable A–T connection and keeps the DNA backbone spacing uniform. This specificity is part of why adenine does not pair with cytosine or guanine. Uracil, by contrast, appears in RNA and can pair with adenine there, but thymine is the DNA-specific partner for adenine.

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