In DNA, adenine (A) pairs with thymine (T), and cytosine (C) pairs with guanine (G), according to Chargaff's rules. If a scientist measures approximately 32% adenine bases in the fish's DNA, it implies that there is also approximately 32% thymine bases (since A pairs with T).
Since the total percentage of all four bases must equal 100%, we can calculate the percentages of the other two bases (guanine and cytosine) as follows:
- Percentage of adenine (A) = 32%
- Percentage of thymine (T) = 32%
- Together, A and T account for 32% + 32% = 64%.
This leaves 100% - 64% = 36% for guanine (G) and cytosine (C). Since G pairs with C, they must also be equal in percentage:
- Thus, the percentage of guanine (G) = 36% / 2 = 18%.
- The percentage of cytosine (C) = 36% / 2 = 18%.
In summary:
- The DNA of this fish is also 32% thymine and 18% guanine.
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