title: The frequency of matching sequences in DNA.
abstract: Equations are presented which allow prediction of the number of direct or indirect matching sequences in DNA. Predicted match frequencies can be calculated for any match length, DNA strand length and DNA base composition, assuming only that the DNA sequence is random. The effect of varying these parameters is described, and match frequency is related to the total frequency of repeats. Equations were verified by computer search of randomly generated DNA sequences. A group of published DNA sequences was searched for matches and the results compared to the calculated predictions for random DNA. In general, natural DNA was found to be similar to random DNA with respect to frequency of matching sequences.
mesh_terms: D001482:Base Composition; D003201:Computers; D004247:DNA; D008433:Mathematics; D008957:Models, Genetic; D012091:Repetitive Sequences, Nucleic Acid
chemical_list: D004247:DNA