Definition

1. Noun:
   • A pair of complementary nitrogenous bases in a DNA or double-stranded RNA molecule: A "base pair" is the fundamental unit of double-stranded nucleic acids, consisting of two nucleobases (adenine-thymine, guanine-cytosine in DNA; adenine-uracil, guanine-cytosine in RNA) bound to each other by hydrogen bonds. This specific pairing is crucial for the structure and function of genetic material.

Usage

• The term "base pair" is used as a countable noun, often abbreviated as bp. It serves as a standard unit of measurement for the length of DNA or RNA sequences.
• It is primarily used in scientific contexts, especially in genetics, molecular biology, and biochemistry.

Examples

• Noun:
  • The DNA helix is stabilized by hydrogen bonds between complementary base pairs.
  • This gene sequence is approximately 2,000 base pairs long.
  • A mutation occurred where a single base pair was substituted in the genetic code.

Advanced Usage

• "Base-pairing rules": Refers to the strict complementary rules (A-T/U, G-C) that govern the formation of base pairs.
  • The fidelity of DNA replication depends on the strict base-pairing rules.
• "Mismatched base pair": A non-complementary pairing that does not follow the standard rules, often leading to mutations.
  • The repair enzyme fixed the mismatched base pair in the strand.
• "Base-pair substitution": A type of mutation where one base pair is replaced by another.
  • A single base-pair substitution can result in a faulty protein.

Variants and Related Words

• Base-pair (verb): To form hydrogen bonds between complementary bases.
  • The single-stranded DNA will base-pair with its complementary strand.
• Base pairing (noun): The process or phenomenon of bases forming pairs.
  • The specificity of base pairing ensures accurate genetic transmission.

Synonyms

• Nucleotide pair (Note: This is a close but not perfect synonym, as a nucleotide includes the sugar-phosphate backbone in addition to the base).
• bp (abbreviation).

Related Phrases

• "Watson-Crick base pair": The specific, standard pairings (A-T, G-C) described in the model of DNA structure by James Watson and Francis Crick.
  • The Watson-Crick base pair model is foundational to molecular biology.
• "Base pair stack": Refers to the way adjacent base pairs pile on top of each other in the DNA double helix, contributing to stability.
  • Hydrophobic interactions in the base pair stack are essential for the helix structure.

Noun

1. one of the pairs of chemical bases joined by hydrogen bonds that connect the complementary strands of a DNA molecule or of an RNA molecule that has two strands; the base pairs are adenine with thymine and guanine with cytosine in DNA and adenine with uracil and guanine with cytosine in RNA