Question

What features of DNA make it more stable than RNA and why is this important?

Answer 1

DNA and RNA both are made up of the same components as pentose sugar, a nitrogenous base and phosphate. The difference between DNA and RNA is that on 2' carbon of pentose sugar of DNA molecule there is one OH missing hence the name deoxyribonucleotide, it makes DNA more stable than RNA. The RNA has that OH group on 2' of sugar molecule which makes it prone to hydrolysis, as a result, the RNA structure will collapse. Also due to presence of two OH groups, one on 2' and another one on 3' of the sugar the chances of formation of phosphodiester at both the location will be there on RNA which won't be the case in DNA.