Concept explainers
Introduction: The transmission of traits into next generation occurs as heritable information in the form of DNA. The monomers that make up the DNA are nucleotides. There are four different nucleotides. These are adenine (A), thymine (T), cytosine (C), and guanine (G). In a double stranded DNA helix, A pair with T and C pair with G. A
Answer to Problem 1Q
Correct answer: Option B. is given as “G-C base pairs are more stable than A-T base pairs”.
Therefore, option B. is correct.
Explanation of Solution
Reason for the correct statement:
A-T base pairs are connected by two hydrogen bonds whereas G-C base pairs are connected by three hydrogen bonds. The breaking of three hydrogen bonds would require more energy than the breaking of two hydrogen bonds. So, G-C base pairs would be more stable than the A-T base pairs.
Hence, option B. is correct.
Reason for the incorrect statement:
Option A. is given as “A DNA strand has a polarity because its two ends contain different bases”. But, the polarity of the DNA strands is due to its phosphate group and hydroxyl group in its sugar-phosphate backbone.
So, option A. is incorrect.
The statement “G-C base pairs are more stable than A-T base pairs” is correct.
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Chapter 5 Solutions
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