Question

You are investigating the DNA content of a newly-discovered bacterial species, and find that this organism's genome is 26% cytosine. What percentage of this organism's genome is thymine?

Answer 1

Answer: 24%

Explanation:

Since Guanine pairs cytosine only, thus the percentage of a cytosine nucleotides in the bacteria DNA is the same as guanine. So, if cytosine is 26%, Guanine is also 26%

Now, recall that the sum of all nitrogenous bases is equal to 100%

i.e A+T+C+G = 100%

A + T + 26 + 26 =100%

A +T + 52 = 100%

A + T = 100 - 52

A+T = 48%

Since, Adenine pairs Thymine only, divide 48% by 2 to obtain the percentage of each.

So, 48% ➗ 2 = 24%

Thus, the percentage of thymine in the organism genome is 24%