A primer of 15 bases contains 5 adenine/thyminine (A/T) bases and 10 guanine/cytosine (G/C) bases. How many hydrogen bonds are formed between the primer and its template strand during annealing?
Answer
40
The correct answer is 40 — Add the two contributions: hydrogen bonds.
Step-by-step solution
- Each A/T pair forms 2 hydrogen bonds.
- Each G/C pair forms 3 hydrogen bonds.
- Calculate bonds from A/T: .
- Calculate bonds from G/C: .
- Add the two contributions: hydrogen bonds.
Common mistake: Treating G/C pairs as forming only 2 bonds or forgetting to multiply each type separately.
Concept tested: DNA base pairing hydrogen bonds
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