Final answer:
In DNA, adenine (A) pairs with thymine (T), and cytosine (C) pairs with guanine (G), forming base pairs. The complementary sequence to GCTTATAT is CGAATATA, adhering to these base-pairing rules.
Step-by-step explanation:
Nucleotide Pairing in DNA
In DNA, the nucleotide bases pair in a very specific way: adenine (A) pairs with thymine (T), and cytosine (C) pairs with guanine (G). This pairing is crucial for the stability of the DNA's double helix structure and is the basis for the replication of DNA during cell division. These base pairs are held together by hydrogen bonds, with A and T forming two hydrogen bonds, and C and G forming three.
To answer the student's specific question, the sequence complementary to GCTTATAT would be CGAATATA, based on the base-pairing rules. Here's how each base is paired:
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- G pairs with C
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- C pairs with G
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- T pairs with A
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- T pairs with A
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- A pairs with T
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- T pairs with A
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- A pairs with T
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- T pairs with A
Therefore, the correct answer for the complementary sequence is option c. CGAATATA.