Nucleic acids: DNA vs RNA, base pairing
Biomolecules · Chemistry
DNA double helix
Interactive 3DThe twisted ladder of life — A–T and G–C base pairs winding 10 per turn.
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Study notes
A DNA strand reads 5'-ATGC-3'. Give the complementary strand. Step 1: Base pairing: A↔T, G↔C (antiparallel). Step 2: Complement of A-T-G-C is T-A-C-G. Step 3: Antiparallel: 3'-TACG-5' (or written 5'-GCAT-3'). Step 4: G–C has 3 H-bonds (stronger); A–T has 2. Pairing is specific!