Question

Why is DNA more stable than RNA? Reinforce your discussion with chemical structures.(4 marks)

Why is DNA more stable than RNA? Reinforce your discussion with chemical structures.

Homework Answers

Answer #1

THE TWO MAIN CHEMICAL DIFFERENCES BETWEEN DNA and RNA ARE -

1. The presence of 2'-hydroxyl ( OH) group on RNA : the presence of 2'hydroxyl group makes the RNA suspectible to base- catalyzed hydrolysis. RNA is also prone to auto - hydrolysis when it is single stranded. this reaction takes place in basic solutions, where free hydroxyl ions in solutions can easily deprotonate the 2'hydroxyl (OH) group of the ribose sugar.

thus, the presence of 2'hydroxyl (OH) group on every nuleotide of RNA makes it easily degradable.

?2- The presence of thymine at the place of uracil in DNA-  the presence of methyl group in thymine helps in repai of damaged DNA. thymine is used in place of uracil in DNA to enhance the fidelity of the genetic message.

so, we can say DNA is more stable than RNA .

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