base pair

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base pair

A student examines a DNA model showing the base pairs adenine and thymine.

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.
base pair

A student examines a DNA model showing the base pairs adenine and thymine.

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