The sequence on one DNA strand that matches the sequence on the other strand is called what?

The sequence on one DNA strand that matches the sequence on the other strand is called what?

• A. Complementary Strands
• B. Parallel Strands
• C. Antiparallel Strands
• D. Inverse Strands

Answer: (A)

DNA strands are complementary because the sequence on one strand is dictated by base pairing with the other: A pairs with T, and G pairs with C. This makes the two strands complementary rather than identical—the information on one strand determines the exact sequence on the other. They also run antiparallel, meaning they go in opposite directions, but the term that describes how the sequences match is complementary strands. The other options describe orientation or are not used to describe this pairing (antiparallel is about direction, parallel would imply the same direction, and inverse isn’t the standard term).

DNA strands are complementary because the sequence on one strand is dictated by base pairing with the other: A pairs with T, and G pairs with C. This makes the two strands complementary rather than identical—the information on one strand determines the exact sequence on the other. They also run antiparallel, meaning they go in opposite directions, but the term that describes how the sequences match is complementary strands. The other options describe orientation or are not used to describe this pairing (antiparallel is about direction, parallel would imply the same direction, and inverse isn’t the standard term).