Question

Refer to Animation: Base Pairing and Stacking. Which of the following do you think best describes the way that base pairing stabilizes the double helix of DNA?a. Bases can pair as long as there are enough hydrogen atoms.b. Shapes of complementary bases fit together like lock and key.c. The arrangement of atoms allows precise hydrogen bonding.d. Bases can pair as long as there are enough electronegative atoms.

Answer 1

Answer: Option C) The arrangement of atoms allows precise hydrogen bonding.

Step-by-step explanation:

The individual hydrogen bonds between the base pairs confer stability to double helix of DNA.

The bases atoms take SPECIFIC POSITIONS or better still ARRANGEMENT, with Guanine pairing with Cytosine base atoms by three hydrogen bonds, while Adenine pair Thymine base atoms by two hydrogen bonds.

So, the arrangement of base atoms allows precise hydrogen bonding and hence STABILITY of DNA double helix.