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DNA Structure · Q7

Q.State Chargaff's rule. How did Watson and Crick's double-helical model of DNA structurally explain this rule?

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✓ Free question

Step 1. Chargaff's rule (an empirical chemical finding) states: [A] = [T] and [G] = [C] in double-stranded DNA from any organism.

Step 2. The Watson-Crick model proposes that the two strands of the double helix are held together by specific, complementary base pairing at each rung of the helix.

Step 3. A purine (A or G) always pairs with a pyrimidine (T or C respectively) to keep the helix a uniform width — specifically A pairs only with T, and G pairs only with C.

Step 4. Because every single A on one strand is matched by exactly one T on the partner strand (and every G by exactly one C), the total count of A across the whole molecule must equal the total count of T, and likewise G must equal C.

✓Final answer

Chargaff's rule (A=T, G=C) is a direct structural consequence of the Watson-Crick model's specific, fixed A-T and G-C complementary base pairing.

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