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Chapter 24: Problem 94

Can a DNA strand bind to a complementary RNA strand? Explain.

Short Answer

Expert verified
Yes, a DNA strand can bind to a complementary RNA strand, as they share similar base pairing rules. Adenine (A) in DNA pairs with uracil (U) in RNA, while guanine (G) in DNA pairs with cytosine (C) in RNA. These interactions are crucial for transcription, which transfers genetic information from DNA to RNA for protein synthesis.

Step by step solution

01

Understanding DNA and RNA structure

DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) and RNA (ribonucleic acid) are both nucleic acids, composed of nucleotide units. The structure of a nucleotide consists of a nitrogenous base, a five-carbon sugar (deoxyribose in DNA and ribose in RNA), and a phosphate group. The nitrogenous bases found in DNA are adenine (A), guanine (G), cytosine (C), and thymine (T), while the bases found in RNA are adenine (A), guanine (G), cytosine (C), and uracil (U), with uracil replacing thymine.
02

Base pairing rules

In DNA, strands bind together due to complementary base pairing, where adenine (A) binds with thymine (T) and cytosine (C) binds with guanine (G). These specific base pairings are due to hydrogen bonding, which can be formed between specific pairs of bases. In RNA, similar base pairings occur, with adenine (A) binding to uracil (U) and cytosine (C) binding to guanine (G).
03

DNA and RNA binding

A single DNA strand can potentially bind to a complementary RNA strand through similar base pairing rules. The adenine (A) in the DNA strand can pair with uracil (U) in the RNA strand, and guanine (G) in the DNA strand can pair with cytosine (C) in the RNA strand. This type of interaction between a DNA strand and its complementary RNA strand is the basis for the transcription process, where the information encoded in the DNA is transferred to RNA, which in turn is used to synthesize proteins.
04

Conclusion

Yes, a DNA strand can bind to a complementary RNA strand through specific base pairings, such as adenine (A) with uracil (U) and guanine (G) with cytosine (C). This binding is essential for biological processes like transcription, where genetic information is transferred from the DNA to RNA for protein synthesis.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Indicate whether each statement is true or false. (a) Two geometric isomers of pentane are \(n\)-pentane and neopentane. (b) Alkenes can have cis and trans isomers around the CC double bond. (c) Alkynes can have cis and trans isomers around the CC triple bond.

Give the general formula for any cyclic alkene, that is, a cyclic hydrocarbon with one double bond.

Indicate whether each statement is true or false. (a) Alkanes do not contain any carbon-carbon multiple bonds. (b) Cyclobutane contains a four-membered ring. (c) Alkenes contain carbon-carbon triple bonds. (d) Alkynes contain carbon-carbon double bonds. (e) Pentane is a saturated hydrocarbon but 1-pentene is an unsaturated hydrocarbon. (f) Cyclohexane is an aromatic hydrocarbon. (g) The methyl group contains one less hydrogen atom than methane.

Draw the condensed structures of the compounds formed from (a) butanoic acid and methanol, ( b) benzoic acid and 2-propanol, (c) propanoic acid and dimethylamine. Name the compound in each case.

Draw all the possible noncyclic structural isomers of \(\mathrm{C}_{5} \mathrm{H}_{10}\) . Name each compound.
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