What molecular interaction requires base pairing between complementary nucleic acid sequences?

The correct answer is hybridization, as it involves the process where two complementary nucleic acid sequences form base pairs to create a double-stranded structure. This is a critical mechanism in various biological processes, such as the formation of DNA duplexes or RNA-DNA hybrids. Hybridization is fundamental in techniques such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and in processes involving probe binding during techniques like Southern and Northern blotting.

In contrast, replication, transcription, and translation involve different types of molecular interactions. During replication, the DNA double helix unwinds and each strand serves as a template for creating a new complementary strand, but this process is more about synthesis rather than simple pairing. Transcription involves synthesizing RNA from a DNA template, where RNA nucleotides base pair with the DNA but also involves the action of RNA polymerase and is a part of the transcription machinery. Translation refers to the synthesis of proteins based on mRNA sequences, which involves various interactions between mRNA, tRNA, and ribosomes, but does not primarily focus on base pairing between nucleic acid sequences themselves.

Thus, the essence of hybridization distinctly highlights the specific interaction between complementary nucleic acids, making it the correct choice.