Name: Bill S.
Status: Educator
Age: 30s
Location: N/A
Country: N/A
Date: 2002
Question:
Why did DNA and not RNA evolve to carry the genetic code
in all organisms save a few viruses?
Would the structure of RNA allow the formation of a stable double-stranded
helix if two RNA chromatids were synthesized?
Replies:
I am not 100% sure of the reason, but I remember hearing that the
conformation
of DNA makes it more stable than RNA. So it seems RNA came first, being
able to replicate, but RNA is very unstable and breaks down quickly. Then to
stabilize the information perhaps DNA evolved and then double-stranded DNA,
with RNA then acting as the go between.
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