Base pair is a term that is commonly used in the field of genetics and molecular biology. It refers to the pairing of two complementary nitrogenous bases in DNA, which are held together by hydrogen bonds. In this article, we will explore the definition and meaning of base pair, as well as its origins, associations, synonyms, antonyms, and usage in example sentences.
Definitions
A base pair is defined as the combination of two nucleotides that are complementary to each other and form a rung of the DNA ladder. The four nucleotides that make up DNA are adenine (A), cytosine (C), guanine (G), and thymine (T). Adenine always pairs with thymine, and cytosine always pairs with guanine, forming two base pairs: A-T and C-G.
Origin
The term “base pair” was first coined in 1950 by the British biochemist Erwin Chargaff, who discovered that the amount of adenine in DNA always equaled the amount of thymine, and the amount of cytosine always equaled the amount of guanine. This observation became known as Chargaff’s rule and was a crucial discovery in the understanding of DNA structure.
Meaning in different dictionaries
According to the Oxford English Dictionary, a base pair is “a pair of complementary nitrogenous bases in a DNA molecule, held together by hydrogen bonds and joined by a phosphodiester bond between adjacent nucleotides.” Merriam-Webster defines it as “a pair of nucleotide bases in DNA or RNA that are held together by hydrogen bonds, specifically: adenine paired with thymine or uracil and guanine paired with cytosine.”
Associations
Base pairs are essential for the structure and function of DNA, as they provide the genetic code that determines the traits of an organism. They are also important in the process of DNA replication, where the two strands of DNA separate, and each strand serves as a template for the synthesis of a new complementary strand.
Synonyms
Some synonyms for base pair include nucleotide pair, DNA base pair, and genetic pair.
Antonyms
As base pairs are a fundamental component of DNA, there are no true antonyms for this term.
The same root words
The root words of base pair are “base” and “pair.” Base refers to the nitrogenous molecules that make up DNA, while pair refers to the complementary nature of the two bases that are joined together.
Example Sentences
- The base pair A-T is held together by two hydrogen bonds, while the base pair C-G is held together by three.
- Mutations in the base pair sequence can lead to genetic disorders.
- The DNA double helix consists of two strands of nucleotides, with each base pair serving as a rung in the ladder.
- Scientists use base pair sequencing to determine the order of nucleotides in a DNA molecule.
- The discovery of the base pair structure of DNA was a major breakthrough in the field of molecular biology.