The DNA double helix (Figure 24.30) at the atomic level looks like a twisted ladder, where the "rungs" of the ladder consist of molecules that are hydrogen-bonded together. Sugar and phosphate groups make up the sides of the ladder. Shown are the structures of the adenine-thymine (AT) "base pair" and the guanine-cytosine (GC) base pair:

You can see that AT base pairs are held together by two hydrogen bonds, and the GC base pairs are held together by three hydrogen bonds. Which base pair is more stable to heating? Why?

CH, O....-H--NH N N-H...N N Sugar Sugar Thymine Adenine N-H.Q NH N Sugar Sugal o H--NH Sugar Cytosine Guanine