Which of the following DNA molecules is expected to be the most thermodynamically stable under physiological salt conditions, assuming all are the same length and fully paired (no mismatches)?
A
A double-stranded DNA molecule containing many abasic (AP) sites
B
A double-stranded DNA molecule with the highest GC content
C
A double-stranded DNA molecule with the highest AT content
D
A single-stranded DNA molecule with the highest GC content
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1
Understand that DNA stability under physiological salt conditions depends largely on base pairing and base stacking interactions.
Recall that guanine-cytosine (GC) pairs form three hydrogen bonds, whereas adenine-thymine (AT) pairs form only two, making GC pairs more thermodynamically stable.
Recognize that abasic (AP) sites lack a base, disrupting hydrogen bonding and base stacking, which decreases stability.
Note that double-stranded DNA is generally more stable than single-stranded DNA because of complementary base pairing and stacking interactions.
Conclude that among the options, the double-stranded DNA molecule with the highest GC content will be the most thermodynamically stable due to stronger hydrogen bonding and stacking.