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Multiple Choice
Chargaff's rules of base pairing are explained by which structural feature of DNA?
A
The sugar-phosphate backbone
B
The presence of hydrogen bonds
C
Complementary base pairing
D
The double helix structure
Verified step by step guidance
1
Begin by understanding the structure of DNA, which is a double helix composed of two strands running in opposite directions.
Recognize that each strand of DNA is made up of a sugar-phosphate backbone with nitrogenous bases attached to the sugars.
Learn about the nitrogenous bases: adenine (A), thymine (T), cytosine (C), and guanine (G). These bases pair specifically due to hydrogen bonding: A with T and C with G.
Understand that Chargaff's rules state that the amount of adenine is equal to thymine, and the amount of cytosine is equal to guanine in a DNA molecule. This is due to complementary base pairing.
Complementary base pairing is facilitated by hydrogen bonds between the bases, which ensures the stability and uniformity of the DNA double helix structure.