Understanding DNA Complementarity

Which diagram represents the strand of DNA that is complementary to the given DNA strand?

A) B) C) D)

Answer:

The diagram that represents the DNA strand complementary to the given DNA strand is C).

In DNA, the bases adenine (A) always pairs with thymine (T), and cytosine (C) always pairs with guanine (G). This pairing is known as complementarity. Therefore, the complementary strand to a given DNA strand can be determined by following the base-pairing rules.

In the provided diagram, if the given DNA strand has bases A-T-C-G, then the complementary strand would have T-A-G-C. Looking at the options given (A, B, C, D), the diagram that shows the complementary strand to the given DNA strand is option C).

Understanding DNA complementarity is crucial in processes like DNA replication and transcription, as it ensures the accurate copying of genetic information. By knowing which bases pair with each other, scientists can predict the sequence of one strand based on the sequence of its complementary strand.