A double stranded DNA has a total of 1500 nucleotides, out of which 550 are cytosine containing nucleotides. How many purine bases does this DNA have?

The nitrogenous bases in a DNA are Purines – Adenine, Guanine and Pyrimidines – Cytosine ,Thymine. A purine pairs with Pyrimidine.

A=T

C = G

According to Chargaff’s Rule, in DNA, the amount of adenine equals the amount of thymine and the amount of guanine equals the amount of cytosine.

If c=550, G will also be 550. C+G = 550+550=1100.

thus , A+T = 1500 – 1100 = 400.

A= T 

so A= 400/2 = 200

T= 400/2=200.

Purines are A and G 

A= 200

G= 550

therefore A+G = 200+550=750