Question

If thymine makes up 25% of the DNA nucleotides in the genome of a plant species, what are the percentages of the other nucleotides in the genome?

Answer 1

Answer: Adenine, Guanine and Cytosine takes 25% each

Explanation:

Recall that the sum of all nitrogenous bases in the DNA nucleotide is equal to 100%. And specific base pairings of Adenine to Thymine (A=T), and Cytosine to Guanine (C=G) must be equal.

So, the percentage of Adenine equal thymine, and that of cytosine equals guanine.

Now, A + T + C + G = 100%

So, if thymine makes up 25% of the DNA nucleotides, Adenine is also 25%.

Then, 25% + 25% + C + G = 100%

50% + C + G = 100%

C + G = 100% - 50% = 50%

Thus, divide 50% by 2 to obtain the individual percentage of cytosine and guanine. Each will take 25%