An A-T base pair is stabilized by only two hydrogen bonds. Hydrogen-bonding schemes of very similar strengths can also be drawn between other base combinations that normally do not occur in DNA molecules, such as the A-C and the A-G pairs shown in Figure Q5−6. What would happen if these pairs formed during DNA replication and the inappropriate bases were incorporated? Discuss why this does not often happen.

Transcribed Image Text:

3' H adenine I- H in H -IZ C N in N-H cytosine H 3' 5' 3' H H. C adenine -I H N C C H guanine Z-I H 3' in H