Which base has a methyl group and is thus characteristic of DNA?

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Improve your understanding with the Biochemistry Module 6 Exam. Use our flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question comes with hints and explanations. Prepare confidently for your exam!

Multiple Choice

Which base has a methyl group and is thus characteristic of DNA?

Explanation:
A methyl group on the base distinguishes DNA from RNA. Thymine, the DNA base, has a methyl group attached at the 5-position of its pyrimidine ring. Uracil, which is used in RNA, lacks this methyl group, and cytosine and adenine don’t carry this methyl modification in their standard forms either. This methylated base helps mark DNA as the chromosome’s blueprint, contributing to its stability and identity. So thymine is the base with a methyl group and is characteristic of DNA.

A methyl group on the base distinguishes DNA from RNA. Thymine, the DNA base, has a methyl group attached at the 5-position of its pyrimidine ring. Uracil, which is used in RNA, lacks this methyl group, and cytosine and adenine don’t carry this methyl modification in their standard forms either. This methylated base helps mark DNA as the chromosome’s blueprint, contributing to its stability and identity. So thymine is the base with a methyl group and is characteristic of DNA.

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