Base pair

Pronunciation
/BASE pair/
Category
Molecular Biology
Singular
Base pair
Plural
Base pairs

Definition

Two nucleotides that are in different strands of nucleic acid and whose bases pair by hydrogen bonding. In DNA, adenine pairs with thymine and guanine pairs with cytosine.

Etymology

From the base units of nucleic acids and their pairing nature.

Example

The sequence of base pairs determines the genetic information encoded in DNA.

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