Read the following statements:
1. RNA can mutate at a faster rate than DNA
2. DNA chemically is less reactive and structurally more stable when compared to RNA
3. The 2'-OH group present at every nucleotide in RNA is a reactive group that makes RNA labile and easily degradable
4. RNA can mutate to form DNA
5. DNA being chemically less reactive is appropriate to act as the genetic material of viruses
Select the correct option:

1, 2, 3 and 4

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1, 2, 3 and 5

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1, 2 and 3

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All of these

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Gerontology is old man logy, during ageing.

Cells gradually lose the power to divide.

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The number of lysosomes increases while aldolase activity and mitochondria decrease.

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Change in gene expression and accumulation of some proteins

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All are correct

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Which of the following best sums up the characteristics of genetic material?

Genetic material must possess the capacity for replication, be chemically and structurally stable, and manifest Mendelian traits.

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Genetic material needs to be highly mutagenic, chemically reactive, and capable of replication.

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Genetic material must possess the capacity for gradual alterations, replication, and molecular-directed polymerization.

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Genetic material must be able to display Mendelian traits, be chemically and physically stable, and prefer RNA over DNA for storing information.

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Assertion: The genetic material possesses stability over generations.

Reason: Genetic material is protected by various mechanisms, such as DNA repair enzymes and histone proteins, which help maintain the stability of the genetic information.

Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.

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Both A and R are true but R is NOT the correct explanation of A.

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A is true but R is false.

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A is false but R is true.

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Select the correct statements out of the following.

Both DNA and RNA can mutate.
RNA being unstable, mutates at a faster rate.
RNA shows catalytic properties.
The presence of uracil (U) in the place of thymine (T) confers additional stability to RNA

(i) and (ii)

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(ii)and (iii)

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(i) and (iv)

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(i), (ii) and (iii)

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A molecule that can act as a genetic material must fulfil the traits given below, except

It should be able to express itself in the form of 'Mendelian characters.'

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it should be able to generate its replica

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It should be unstable structurally and chemically

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it should provide the scope for slow changes that are required for evolution

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Concepts Covered - 1

Properties of Genetic Material

Following are the criteria that a molecule must fulfill to act as a genetic material:
- It should be able to replicate.
- It should be chemically and structurally stable.
- It should provide the scope for slow changes
- It should be able to express itself in the form of ‘Mendelian characters’.
Both the nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) have the ability to direct their duplications.
The other molecules in the living system, such as proteins fail to fulfill the first criteria itself.
The genetic material should be stable enough not to change with different stages of the life cycle, age or with change in the physiology of the organism.
Stability as one of the properties of genetic material was very evident in Griffith’s ‘transforming principle’ itself that heat, which killed the bacteria, at least did not destroy some of the properties of genetic material.
This now can easily be explained in light of the DNA that the two strands being complementary if separated by heating come together, when appropriate conditions are provided.
Further, 2'-OH group present at every nucleotide in RNA is a reactive group and makes RNA labile and easily degradable.
RNA is also now known to be catalytic, hence reactive.
Therefore, DNA chemically is less reactive and structurally more stable when compared to RNA.
Therefore, among the two nucleic acids, the DNA is a better genetic material.
In fact, the presence of thymine at the place of uracil also confers additional stability to DNA.
Both DNA and RNA are able to mutate. In fact, RNA being unstable mutates at a faster rate. Consequently, viruses having an RNA genome and having a shorter life span mutate and evolve faster.
The above discussion indicates that both RNA and DNA can function as genetic material, but DNA being more stable is preferred for the storage of genetic information.
For the transmission of genetic information, RNA is better.