Question Details

If Adenine makes 30% of the DNA molecule, what will be the percentage of Thymine, Guanine and Cytosine in it ?

Options

A

T : 20 ; G : 30 ; C : 20

B

T : 20 ; G : 20 ; C : 30

C

T : 30 ; G : 20 ; C : 20

D

T : 20 ; G : 25 ; C : 25

Show Answer

Correct Answer :

Option C

T : 30 ; G : 20 ; C : 20

T : 30 ; G : 20 ; C : 20

Solution :

According to Chargaff's rules of base pairing in a double-stranded DNA molecule:
1. Adenine (A) always pairs with Thymine (T), which means the percentage of Adenine is equal to the percentage of Thymine (A=T).
2. Guanine (G) always pairs with Cytosine (C), which means the percentage of Guanine is equal to the percentage of Cytosine (G=C).
3. The sum of all four nitrogenous bases in a DNA molecule is 100% (A+T+G+C=100%).

Given that Adenine (A) makes up 30% of the DNA molecule:
Since A=T, the percentage of Thymine (T) must also be 30%.

Now, we can find the combined percentage of Adenine and Thymine:
A+T=30%+30%=60%

This leaves the remaining percentage for Guanine (G) and Cytosine (C):
G+C=100%-60%=40%

Since G=C, we divide the remaining 40% equally between Guanine and Cytosine:
G=40%2=20%
C=40%2=20%

Therefore, the percentages of the bases are:
Thymine (T) = 30%
Guanine (G) = 20%
Cytosine (C) = 20%

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