Final answer:
Uracil pairs with adenine in RNA, where it takes the place of thymine from DNA. Each adenine-uracil pair is held together by two hydrogen bonds, maintaining the stability of RNA during genetic processes.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the context of nucleic acids, uracil pairs with adenine. This pairing occurs in RNA, where uracil takes the place of thymine, which is found in DNA. Both uracil and thymine are pyrimidines, but uracil is an unmethylated form of thymine. When it comes to complementary base pairing, adenine (A), which is a purine, pairs with uracil (U) in RNA by forming two hydrogen bonds, ensuring proper alignment during protein synthesis.
A complementary base pair is a pair of nucleotide bases that bond together; for example, cytosine pairs with guanine, and adenine pairs with thymine in DNA, or uracil in RNA. The shape and structure of these pairs are very similar due to the hydrogen bonding, which keeps the double helix of DNA or the single-stranded RNA stable during genetic processes.