Base pairs are the building blocks of the DNA double helix, consisting of two nucleotides bound together by hydrogen bonds. They enable the storage of genetic information through complementary pairing, specifically adenine with thymine and guanine with cytosine in DNA, and adenine with uracil in RNA.

Base Pairs

Base pairs

building blocks of the DNA double helix

two nucleotides

Hydrogen bonds are a type of weak chemical bond that forms when a hydrogen atom, already covalently bonded to a more electronegative atom like oxygen or nitrogen, experiences attraction to another electronegative atom within the vicinity. They play a crucial role in determining the structure and properties of water, proteins, and nucleic acids, thereby influencing numerous biological and chemical processes.

hydrogen bonds

storage of genetic information

Complementary pairing refers to the specific hydrogen bonding between nucleotide bases in DNA and RNA, where adenine pairs with thymine (or uracil in RNA) and cytosine pairs with guanine. This precise pairing is crucial for the accurate replication and transcription of genetic information, ensuring the stability and integrity of genetic sequences across generations.

complementary pairing

adenine with thymine

guanine with cytosine

adenine with uracil

Ribonucleic acid (RNA) is a crucial molecule in cellular biology that plays a central role in coding, decoding, regulation, and expression of genes. It serves as the intermediary between DNA and protein synthesis, and is involved in various biological processes including gene regulation and catalysis.

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