Question

An organism has a \(\mathrm{G}+\mathrm{C}\) content of \(64 \%\) in its DNA. What are the percentages of \(A, T, G\), and \(C\) ?

Short answer

\(\%A = \%T = 18\%\) and \(\%G = \%C = 32\%\)

Step-by-step solution

Calculate the percentages of G and C

Given that the percent GC content is 64%, and G and C are equally represented, each makes up half of this total. Therefore, \(\%G = \%C = 64\% / 2 = 32\%\)

Calculate the remaining percentage for A and T

The total percent of A, T, G, and C must add up to 100%. Given that the percent GC is 64%, that leaves \(\%A + \%T = 100\% - 64\% = 36\%\) to be divided equally between adenine and thymine.

Calculate the percentages of A and T

Given that A and T are equally represented, each makes up half of the remaining total. Therefore, \(\%A = \%T = 36\% / 2 = 18\%\)