Which statement correctly describes the arrangement of the nitrogenous bases in the double helix of DNA?
A) Each of the 4 nitrogenous bases on one DNA strand can pair with any of the other 4 nitrogenous base on the other strand.
B) Any purine nitrogenous base on one DNA strand can pair with any other purine on the other DNA strand.
C) Any pyrimidine nitrogenous base on one strand of DNA can pair with any other pyrimidine base on the other strand.
D) Any pyrimidine nitrogenous base on one strand of DNA can pair with any purine on the other DNA strand.
E) Adenine (A), a purine, on one DNA strand pairs with thymine (T), a pyrimidine, on the other strand; Guanine (G), another purine, pairs with cytosine (C), a pyrimidine.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Adenine (A), a purine, on one DNA strand pairs with thymine (T), a pyrimidine, on the other strand; Guanine (G), another purine, pairs with cytosine (C), a pyrimidine. This is known as complementary base pairing and it is essential for DNA replication and protein synthesis.

Which Statement Correctly Describes the Arrangement of the Nitrogenous Bases