Palindromes in DNA are base pair sequences that are the same when read forward (left to right) or backward (right to left) from a central axis of symmetry. For example, the following sequences read the same on the two strands in the 5′ → 3′ direction as well as 3′ → 5′ direction.

1. 5′ – G – G – A – T – C – C – 3′

3′ – C – C – T – A – G – G – 5′

2. 5′ – G – A – A – T – T – C – 3′

5′ – C – T – T – A – A – G – 5′

3. 5′ – A – A – G – C – T – T – 3′

3′ – T – T – C – G – A – A – 5′

4. 5′ – G – T – C – G – A – C – 3′

3′ – C – A – G – C – T – G – 5′

5. 5′ – A – C – T – A – G – T – 3′

3′ – T – G – A – T – C – A – 5′