Question
A sequence of DNA reads ACTGAGTCA. The next base would have to be any of those four bases. G. A. T. C.
Ask by Savage Murray. in the United States
Feb 25,2025
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Answer
The next base in the sequence could be G, A, T, or C.
Solution
DNA is made up of four nucleotides (A, C, G, and T), and when a new nucleotide is added during DNA synthesis the choice depends on the base‐pairing rules with the template strand. In the sequence you’ve given (ACTGAGTCA), if you only know that strand and have no complementary template information, there is no “preferred” next base. In other words, without knowing what the template strand is (or any other context that dictates which nucleotide should come next), the next base could be any one of the four (G, A, T, or C).
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Simplify this solution Bonus Knowledge
In the world of DNA, the sequence you provided can pair with its complementary base, but the next base is determined by the context or function of the DNA. If we're talking about standard DNA replication, it doesn’t strictly follow any specific base; it can indeed be A, T, C, or G, depending on what's needed in that particular moment of cellular activity! For example, if you're looking at protein coding, the next base could contribute to the formation of a new amino acid. Start thinking about which base will best suit the grander scheme of gene expression! The next base could essentially alter the outcome in a deliciously unpredictable way. Happy sequencing!
