In a sample of double-stranded DNA, 20 /, percent of the nitrogenous bases are guanine (G). What percentage of the nitrogenous bases in the sample are cytosine (C) ?

Question

Biology

Kimberly Ortiz

13 March, 13:31

In a sample of double-stranded DNA, 20 /, percent of the nitrogenous bases are guanine (G). What percentage of the nitrogenous bases in the sample are cytosine (C) ?

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Answers (1)

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Isabell · Answer 1

20%

Explanation:

If a DNA molecule is double-stranded, the guanine base of one strand pairs with cytosine of another strand. Therefore, a double-stranded DNA always has the same proportions of guanine and cytosine ratio. This holds true for adenine and thymine bases as well which also form a complementary base pair. It is also called Chargaff's rule. Therefore, if a double-stranded DNA has 20% guanine, then the same DNA sample would have 20% of the cytosine base.