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InDifference in base-pairing energy is often cited as the reason that A/T rich regions of DNA melt more readily than G/C rich regions. But a large contributor to the 'strength' of G/C rich regions is stabilizing energy from base stacking. Consecutive G/C basepairs have a stacking energy of ~45kJ/mole. Consecutive A/T basepairs have a stacking energy of ~20kJ/mole.