What is the term for the nucleotide bases in one strand of DNA or RNA paired with those of another strand?

The term for the nucleotide bases in one strand of DNA or RNA that are paired with those of another strand is known as complementary base pairs. This concept is fundamental to understanding the structure of nucleic acids. In DNA, for example, adenine pairs with thymine, and cytosine pairs with guanine, creating stable interactions that form the double helix structure. In RNA, adenine pairs with uracil instead of thymine.

These complementary base pairs ensure accurate replication of genetic information during cell division and are crucial during transcription and translation processes in protein synthesis. The specificity of these pairings plays a key role in the fidelity of genetic information transfer and in the overall functioning of biological systems.