Question

1) Was life started as an RNA or DNA and give a hypothesis and what are the differences in the structures.

Answer 1

Ans:- Difference in the DNA and RNA structure

1. DNA contains the sugar deoxyribose, while RNA contain the sugar ribose. The only difference between ribose and deoxyribose is that ribose has one more -OH group than deoxyribose, which has -H attached to the second(2') carbon in the ring.

2. DNA is a double strand molecule, while RNA is single strand molecule.

3. DNA is stable under alkaline solution, while RNA is not stable.

4. DNA and RNA perform different functions in humans. DNA is responsible for storing and transferring genetic information, while RNA directly codes for amino acids and acts as a messenger between DNA and ribosomes to make proteins.

5. DNA and RNA base pairing is slightly different since DNA uses the bases adenine, thymine, cytosine, and guanine; RNA uses adenine, uracil, cytosine, and guanine. Uracil differs from thymine in that it lacks a methyl group on its ring.

6. DNA performs the Long-term storage of genetic information; transmission of genetic information to make other cells and new organisms while, RNA performs the Used to transfer the genetic code from the nucleus to the ribosomes to make proteins. RNA is used to transmit genetic information in some organisms and may have been the molecule used to store genetic blueprints in primitive organisms.

7. In the DNA, deoxyribose sugar phosphate backbone Adenine, Guanine Cytosine and Thymine bases while, ribose sugar phosphate backbone adenine, guanine, cytosine, uracil bases.

8. In the DNA the base pairing between AT (adenine-thymine) GC (guanine-cytosine) while in RNA the base pairing between AU (adenine-uracil) GC (guanine-cytosine).

9. In the DNA The C-H bonds in DNA make it fairly stable, plus the body destroys enzymes that would attack DNA. The small grooves in the helix also serve as protection, providing minimal space for enzymes to attach while in RNA, The O-H bond in the ribose of RNA makes the molecule more reactive, compared with DNA. RNA is not stable under alkaline conditions, plus the large grooves in the molecule make it susceptible to enzyme attack. RNA is constantly produced, used, degraded, and recycled.

10. DNA consists of two strands, arranged in a double helix. These strands are made up of subunits called nucleotides. Each nucleotide contains a phosphate, a 5-carbon sugar molecule and a nitrogenous base while, RNA only has one strand, but like DNA, is made up of nucleotides. RNA strands are shorter than DNA strands. RNA sometimes forms a secondary double helix structure, but only intermittently.