Page 7 - CH6 (1)

Properties of the Genetic Material

● It should be able to replicate (duplicate to produce its identical copy).
● It should be chemically and structurally stable.

● It should have scope for changes that are essential for evolution.
● It should follow the Mendelian principles of inheritance.

● Difference between DNA and RNA:

DNA RNA

○ Has deoxyribose ○ Has ribose sugar

sugar

○ 5­methyl uracil ○ Uracil is present in place of

(thymine) is present. thymine.

○ Mostly DNA acts as ○ RNA acts as a messenger and
the genetic material. adaptor. It acts as a genetic

material in some viruses.

○ DNA is stable. ○ Presence of 2′ OH group at every
nucleotide makes RNA labile and
easily biodegradable.

○ Chemically less ○ Mutation in RNA is faster.

reactive, mutates
slowly

○ DNA requires RNA for ○ RNA directly codes for proteins.
protein synthesis.

P

DNA ​​RNA ​​rotein
→
→
Why DNA is more stable than RNA?
● In RNA, a 2′ OH group is present at every nucleotide. This makes RNA
unstable and degradable.

● Presence of thymine in place of uracil confers additional stability to
DNA.