After sequencing a molecule of dna, you discover that 20% of the bases are cytosine. what percentage of the bases would you expect to be thymine? explain why.

Question

Biology

Kassidy Allison

Today, 08:07

After sequencing a molecule of dna, you discover that 20% of the bases are cytosine. what percentage of the bases would you expect to be thymine? explain why.

+5

Answers (1)

Know the Answer?

Marlene Noble · Answer 1

There are 4 bases: Cytosine, Guanine, Adenine, and Thymine (sometimes Uracil). Cytosine pairs with Guanine and Adenine with Thymine. If there's 20% Cytosine then there must be an equal amount of Guanine for the pairs to match up. 40% of the bases are either Cytosine or Guanine then 60% is Adenine or Thymine. Equal amounts of each so divide by 2 and 30% is expected to be Thymine.