How many hydrogen bonds form between guanine and cytosine?

Prepare for the IMAT Biology Exam! Study with flashcards and multiple choice questions, accompany each question with hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

Multiple Choice

How many hydrogen bonds form between guanine and cytosine?

Explanation:
Hydrogen bonding between complementary bases is what holds the DNA double helix together. Guanine and cytosine pair with three hydrogen bonds, using the available donor and acceptor sites on each base to form three stabilizing interactions. This extra bond compared with other pairs makes GC pairs more stable, which is why DNA regions rich in GC have higher melting temperatures.

Hydrogen bonding between complementary bases is what holds the DNA double helix together. Guanine and cytosine pair with three hydrogen bonds, using the available donor and acceptor sites on each base to form three stabilizing interactions. This extra bond compared with other pairs makes GC pairs more stable, which is why DNA regions rich in GC have higher melting temperatures.

Subscribe

Get the latest from Examzify

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy