Use app×
Join Bloom Tuition
One on One Online Tuition
JEE MAIN 2025 Foundation Course
NEET 2025 Foundation Course
CLASS 12 FOUNDATION COURSE
CLASS 10 FOUNDATION COURSE
CLASS 9 FOUNDATION COURSE
CLASS 8 FOUNDATION COURSE
0 votes
536 views
in Molecular Basis of Inheritance by (48.9k points)
closed by

Both RNA and DNA are considered as genetic materials.

1. What are the main criteria for a molecule to act as genetic material?

2. Why DNA is considered as a better genetic material than RNA?

3. Why RNA viruses mutate and evolve faster than DNA virus?

1 Answer

+1 vote
by (58.8k points)
selected by
 
Best answer

1. Main criteria for a molecule to act as genetic material: 

  • Able to generate replica
  • Chemically and structurally stable
  • Provide scope for slow mutation, required for evolution.
  • Able to express itself in the form of ‘Mendelian characters’.

2. RNA, being catalytic, is chemically more reactive and less stable than DNA. Therefore DNA is a better genetic material as it is less reactive and structurally more stable.

3. RNA is unstable than DNA, so mutate at a faster rate. Viruses having RNA genome, with shorter life span mutate and evolve faster.

Welcome to Sarthaks eConnect: A unique platform where students can interact with teachers/experts/students to get solutions to their queries. Students (upto class 10+2) preparing for All Government Exams, CBSE Board Exam, ICSE Board Exam, State Board Exam, JEE (Mains+Advance) and NEET can ask questions from any subject and get quick answers by subject teachers/ experts/mentors/students.

...