Nucleotide Base Pairing
Definition
Nucleotide base pairing is the specific bonding between complementary nitrogenous bases in DNA and RNA. In DNA, adenine (A) pairs with thymine (T), and guanine (G) pairs with cytosine (C). In RNA, adenine pairs with uracil (U).
Analogy
Think of nucleotide base pairing like a zipper on a jacket. Each tooth on one side of the zipper represents a nucleotide base, and it can only connect to its corresponding tooth on the other side.
Related terms
Adenine: A purine base that pairs with thymine in DNA or uracil in RNA.
Thymine: A pyrimidine base that pairs with adenine in DNA.
Guanine: A purine base that pairs with cytosine in both DNA and RNA.
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