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The bonding relationship between the bases in the nucleotides of DNA and RNA. The relationship is highly specific, such that adenine (A) in one strand of DNA only pairs with thymine (T) in the complementary strand (or with uracil (U) in RNA). Similarly guanine (G) only pairs with cytosine (C). The A:T and G:C base pairs of complementary polynucleotide chains are held together by hydrogen bonds. Although these are only weak bonds, large numbers are formed between the two polynucleotide strands of DNA so that the double helix as a whole is extremely stable. The specific pairing of A:T (or A:U in RNA) and G:C means that the genetic material is accurately replicated from one generation to another. It also means that molecules of messenger RNA are accurately transcribed from the genetic material and subsequently accurately translated to protein.
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