DNA is more stable than RNA for storing genetic information because ____.
A) uracil needed for RNA synthesis is far less common than thymine needed for DNA synthesis
B) RNA breaks more easily and accumulates more mutations than DNA does
C) DNA is easier to build from its component molecules
D) DNA requires less energy to construct than RNA does
E) RNA molecules are longer than DNA molecules and thus more prone to breakage

Question

​DNA is more stable than RNA for storing genetic information because ____.
A) ​uracil needed for RNA synthesis is far less common than thymine needed for DNA synthesis
B) ​RNA breaks more easily and accumulates more mutations than DNA does
C) ​DNA is easier to build from its component molecules
D) ​DNA requires less energy to construct than RNA does
E) ​RNA molecules are longer than DNA molecules and thus more prone to breakage

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

RNA is more prone to hydrolysis than DNA, largely because RNA contains uracil instead of thymine, and its sugar (ribose) has a hydroxyl group at the 2' position, making it more reactive and less stable than DNA. This increased susceptibility to breakage and mutation makes DNA a more stable repository for genetic information.

​DNA Is More Stable Than RNA for Storing Genetic Information

DNA Is More Stable Than RNA for Storing Genetic Information