Final answer:
The complementary pairing of the nitrogenous bases is the structural feature that allows DNA to replicate.
Step-by-step explanation:
The structural feature that allows DNA to replicate is (C) complementary pairing of the nitrogenous bases. The DNA double helix is composed of two complementary strands, where adenine (A) pairs with thymine (T) with two hydrogen bonds, and guanine (G) pairs with cytosine (C) with three hydrogen bonds. This base pairing is essential because, during replication, each strand serves as a template for creating a new complementary strand, allowing the DNA molecule to be copied accurately. It's important to note that the two strands of DNA run antiparallel to each other, meaning the 5' end of one strand aligns with the 3' end of the other. This antiparallel orientation is crucial for the function of DNA polymerases during replication.
The structural feature that allows DNA to replicate is the complementary pairing of the nitrogenous bases. Adenine pairs with thymine and cytosine pairs with guanine through hydrogen bonding. This base pairing enables the DNA strands to separate and each strand to act as a template for the formation of a new complementary strand during replication.