Four nucleic-acid samples are analyzed to determine the percentages of the nucleotides they contain. Survey the data in the table to determine which samples are DNA and which are RNA, and specify whether each sample is double-stranded or single-stranded. Justify each answer.
[A table of nucleotide percentages appears below the problem]
        

Verified step by step guidance

1. Examine the table for the presence of thymine (T) and uracil (U). DNA contains thymine but no uracil, while RNA contains uracil but no thymine.
2. Identify samples with thymine (T) and no uracil (U). These samples are DNA. For example, Sample 1 and Sample 4 contain thymine and no uracil, indicating they are DNA.
3. Identify samples with uracil (U) and no thymine (T). These samples are RNA. For example, Sample 2 and Sample 3 contain uracil and no thymine, indicating they are RNA.
4. Determine if the samples are single-stranded or double-stranded by checking if the percentages of adenine (A) and thymine (T) or uracil (U) are equal, and if the percentages of guanine (G) and cytosine (C) are equal. Equal percentages suggest double-stranded nucleic acids, while unequal percentages suggest single-stranded nucleic acids.
5. Apply the above criteria to each sample: Sample 1 and Sample 4 have equal percentages of A and T, and G and C, indicating they are double-stranded DNA. Sample 2 and Sample 3 have unequal percentages of A and U, and G and C, indicating they are single-stranded RNA.

Key Concepts

Nucleotide Composition

Nucleotides are the building blocks of nucleic acids, consisting of a sugar, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base. In DNA, the bases are adenine (A), guanine (G), cytosine (C), and thymine (T), while RNA contains uracil (U) instead of thymine. The relative percentages of these nucleotides can help distinguish between DNA and RNA samples.

Single-Stranded vs. Double-Stranded

DNA is typically double-stranded, forming a double helix structure, while RNA is usually single-stranded. The presence of thymine in DNA and uracil in RNA is a key factor in identifying the type of nucleic acid. Analyzing the nucleotide percentages can indicate whether a sample is likely to be single-stranded or double-stranded based on the presence or absence of specific bases.

Base Pairing Rules

In DNA, adenine pairs with thymine, and guanine pairs with cytosine, which is essential for the double-stranded structure. In RNA, adenine pairs with uracil instead of thymine. Understanding these base pairing rules is crucial for interpreting the nucleotide composition data, as they provide insights into the structural characteristics of the nucleic acid samples.