Question detail
Which of the following statements about complementary base pairing is correct?
Try the question, check the answer, then read the explanation to understand the curriculum point.
At a glance
MCQ
Type
practice
Style
Topic
Amino acids, proteins and DNA (A-level only)
Question
- A. It occurs through covalent bonds.
- B. It is essential for protein synthesis.
- C. It involves specific pairing of bases.
- D. It is only found in RNA.
Answer
It involves specific pairing of bases.
Explanation
Complementary base pairing involves specific pairing of bases (adenine with thymine and guanine with cytosine) through hydrogen bonds, which is fundamental to the structure and function of DNA.
Common mistake
Misunderstanding Base Pairing
Students often confuse the specific hydrogen bonds formed between complementary bases in DNA, such as pairing adenine with thymine and cytosine with guanine.
To clarify, remember that adenine (A) forms two hydrogen bonds with thymine (T), while cytosine (C) forms three hydrogen bonds with guanine (G). This can be summarized as: A-T (2 H-bonds) and C-G (3 H-bonds). Therefore, when explaining complementary base pairing, ensure to specify the number of hydrogen bonds formed between each pair.
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