How many hydrogen bonds are formed between adenine and thymine?

Adenine and thymine form two hydrogen bonds when they pair together in the structure of DNA. This base pairing is a fundamental aspect of the double helical structure of DNA and is critical for the stability and fidelity of genetic information. Each hydrogen bond involves the attraction between a hydrogen atom attached to an electronegative atom (like the nitrogen in adenine) and the electronegative atom of another molecule (like the nitrogen or oxygen in thymine).

The presence of two hydrogen bonds between adenine and thymine, compared to the three hydrogen bonds formed between guanine and cytosine, contributes to the overall stability of the DNA molecule, as pairs involving three hydrogen bonds are generally stronger. Understanding these interactions is essential for comprehending many aspects of DNA replication, transcription, and other molecular biology processes.