Base pairing is a fundamental principle of molecular biology where specific nitrogenous bases in nucleic acids form hydrogen bonds with their complementary bases, ensuring the accurate replication and transcription of genetic information. In DNA, adenine pairs with thymine and cytosine pairs with guanine, while in RNA, adenine pairs with uracil instead of thymine.
The genetic code is a set of rules by which information encoded in genetic material (DNA or RNA sequences) is translated into proteins by living cells. It is universal across almost all organisms, highlighting the shared evolutionary heritage of life on Earth.