Term: base pairing
https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.B00607

Definition:
The specific association between two complementary strands of nucleic acids that results from the formation of hydrogen bonds between the base components of the nucleotides of each strand: A=T and G=C in DNA, A=U and G=C (and sometimes G=U) in RNA (the lines indicate the number of hydrogen bonds). Single-stranded nucleic acid molecules can adopt a partially double-stranded structure through intrastrand base pairing.

Related Terms:
1) association (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.A00472).
2) nucleic acids (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.N04245).
3) nucleotides (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.N04255).
4) dna (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.D01597).
5) rna (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.R05386).

Source: PAC, 1992, 64, 143. 'Glossary for chemists of terms used in biotechnology (IUPAC Recommendations 1992)' on page 147 (https://doi.org/10.1351/pac199264010143)

Citation: 'base pairing' in IUPAC Compendium of Chemical Terminology, 5th ed. International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry; 2025. Online version 5.0.0, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.B00607

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