What term describes bases that bond with each other in a specific pairing?

What term describes bases that bond with each other in a specific pairing?

• A. Complementary Bases
• B. Purines
• C. Hydrogen Bonds
• D. Antiparallel Strands

Answer: (A)

Complementary bases describe the specific pairing that occurs between bases on opposite strands. In DNA, each base has a precise partner: adenine pairs with thymine (or uracil in RNA) and guanine pairs with cytosine. This pairing is what makes the bases complementary, ensuring the two strands fit together with a consistent width and allowing accurate replication. The pairing is stabilized by hydrogen bonds (two between A and T, three between G and C), but the term itself refers to the matching partners, not the bonds or strand orientation. Here, the concept emphasizes that bases bond with their specific partners to form the double-stranded structure.

Complementary bases describe the specific pairing that occurs between bases on opposite strands. In DNA, each base has a precise partner: adenine pairs with thymine (or uracil in RNA) and guanine pairs with cytosine. This pairing is what makes the bases complementary, ensuring the two strands fit together with a consistent width and allowing accurate replication. The pairing is stabilized by hydrogen bonds (two between A and T, three between G and C), but the term itself refers to the matching partners, not the bonds or strand orientation. Here, the concept emphasizes that bases bond with their specific partners to form the double-stranded structure.