Anatomy and Physiology (DNA)

Question

One DNA strand of Chromosome #12 has the following nucleotide sequence: TAC/CGC/CCT/TGC/GTA/CTC/ACT.

What nitrogenous bases would be found on "the other DNA strand lying along side of it and why?"

Answer 1

The nitrogenous bases are Adenine (A), Guanine (G), Thymine (T), Cytosine (C), and Uracil (U). A pairs with T in DNA and with U in RNA. C always pairs with G. This question is worded funny, but I believe it's asking you to find the complementary strand of DNA (remember all DNA has two strands!).

When you look at a strand of DNA or RNA, you can figure out what the complementary strand is by writing the match to each base on the parent strand (which is the strand you were given). So, if your strand of DNA gave you a C, you know it will be matched to a G on the complementary strand.

So, for the strand of DNA you were given, the complementary strand would be ATG/GCG/GGA/ACG/CAT/GAG/TGA

I hope this helps!