Double-stranded DNA can be unwound (denatured) by applying heat to
break the hydrogen bonds holding the bases together. The denatured DNA
exhibits stronger UV absorption, showing a hyperchromic shift during
"melting".
Q: Which sample of DNA in the diagram has a greater percent of GC
pairs?
+ A: The green sample with the higher melting temperature (Tm).
The Tm increases as GC content increases, since GC pairs have
3 hydrogen bonds while AT pairs have 2 hydrogen bonds.