What are the four nitrogenous bases found in DNA?

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The four nitrogenous bases found in DNA are adenine, thymine, cytosine, and guanine. These bases pair specifically, with adenine pairing with thymine and cytosine pairing with guanine, forming the rungs of the DNA double helix. This specific base-pairing is crucial for the structure of DNA and for the accurate replication and transcription of genetic information.

Adenine and thymine are complementary bases, while cytosine and guanine also pair with each other in a similar manner, which supports the stability of the DNA molecule. This pairing is foundational for the processes of inheritance and the encoding of proteins.

In contrast, uracil is found in RNA instead of thymine, and adenosine is not a standalone base in this context, as it is a component of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) rather than a base itself. Therefore, recognizing these specific bases is essential for understanding DNA structure and function.