Adenine and cytosine cannot form stable pairs due to the insufficient strength of hydrogen bonds between them. The shapes of adenine and cytosine do not complement each other effectively, resulting in fewer points of contact for bonding. In contrast, adenine pairs well with thymine (or uracil in RNA), which allows for a more stable bond due to better shape compatibility and increased hydrogen bonding. The discussion also touches on the significance of molecular replication, emphasizing that successful molecules must duplicate to proliferate in their environment.
PREREQUISITESStudents of molecular biology, biochemists, and anyone interested in understanding the principles of DNA structure and replication.
It is not that they can't bond at all. It is just that the total bond strength is not very strong, so it is not stable. All bonds are hydrogen bonds, so to make a strong molecular bond there have to be many points of contact between points with opposite polarity. This will only occur if the shapes are complementary so that they fit together. The fact is that the shape of adenine and the shape of cytosine don't fit together very well. Thymine (or uracil in RNA) fit much better with adenine, providing many more points of hydrogen bonding and a much more stable bond.joejo said:hi I was curious Why can't adenine and cytosine pairs form? Like I know it doesn't happen but WHY?
Without the ability to duplicate, a successful molecule (ie. successful in surviving in its environment) would not proliferate. Successful molecules that duplicate themselves would proliferate. It is as simple as that.joejo said:my next ? is why is duplication important? is there any reason behind the importance of duplication/replication