Skip to main content
Pearson+ LogoPearson+ Logo
Ch.11 Nucleic Acids Big Molecules with a Big Role
Frost - General, Organic and Biological Chemistry 4th Edition
Frost4th EditionGeneral, Organic and Biological ChemistryISBN: 9780134988696Not the one you use?Change textbook
Chapter 7, Problem 24

List the mRNA bases that complement the bases A, T, G, and C in DNA.

Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the concept of complementary base pairing: In DNA, the bases pair as A (adenine) with T (thymine) and G (guanine) with C (cytosine). In mRNA, thymine (T) is replaced by uracil (U).
Identify the DNA bases provided in the problem: A (adenine), T (thymine), G (guanine), and C (cytosine).
Determine the complementary mRNA base for each DNA base: A pairs with U, T pairs with A, G pairs with C, and C pairs with G.
Write out the complementary mRNA sequence by substituting each DNA base with its corresponding mRNA base.
Review the sequence to ensure that the complementary base pairing rules have been applied correctly and that thymine (T) has been replaced with uracil (U) in the mRNA.

Verified video answer for a similar problem:

This video solution was recommended by our tutors as helpful for the problem above.
Video duration:
1m
Was this helpful?

Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Base Pairing Rules

Base pairing rules dictate how nucleotides in DNA and RNA pair with each other. In DNA, adenine (A) pairs with thymine (T), and guanine (G) pairs with cytosine (C). When transcribing DNA to mRNA, adenine pairs with uracil (U) instead of thymine, while cytosine still pairs with guanine.
Recommended video:
Guided course
2:01
Base Pairing Concept 2

Transcription Process

Transcription is the process by which the genetic information in DNA is copied into mRNA. During this process, RNA polymerase synthesizes a complementary strand of mRNA using one of the DNA strands as a template. This is crucial for protein synthesis, as mRNA carries the code from DNA to the ribosome.
Recommended video:
Guided course
6:37
Transcription: mRNA Synthesis Concept 1

Nucleotide Structure

Nucleotides are the building blocks of nucleic acids like DNA and RNA. Each nucleotide consists of a sugar, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base. The specific arrangement of these bases (A, T, G, C in DNA; A, U, G, C in RNA) determines the genetic code and the instructions for building proteins.
Recommended video:
Guided course
1:19
Nucleoside and Nucleotide Formation Concept 2