What does base do to DNA when it is added to it?
When a base is added to DNA, it forms a specific pairing with another base through hydrogen bonding. DNA is made up of four bases: adenine (A), thymine (T), cytosine (C), and guanine (G).
The base pairing rule states that adenine (A) always pairs with thymine (T) and cytosine (C) always pairs with guanine (G). These pairs are held together by hydrogen bonds. So, when a base is added to DNA, it will pair specifically with its complementary base.
For example, if a base containing adenine (A) is added to DNA, it will specifically bind to the base containing thymine (T) in DNA through hydrogen bonding. Similarly, if a base containing cytosine (C) is added to DNA, it will specifically bind to the base containing guanine (G) through hydrogen bonding.
This base pairing process is fundamental for the replication and transmission of genetic information in DNA. It allows DNA to accurately copy itself during cell division and provides the basis for gene expression and protein synthesis. It is the precise arrangement of these base pairs that forms the genetic code and determines the characteristics of an organism.