Which one of the following is not true for a molecule that can act as a genetic material?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → It should be catalytic and easily degradable.
NCERT lists four criteria for a genetic material: it should be able to replicate; it should be chemically and structurally stable; it should allow slow changes (mutation) needed for evolution; and it should express itself as Mendelian characters.
Option (1) It should be able to generate its replica. — True for genetic material. It must copy itself to pass to the next generation.
Option (2) It should be chemically stable. — True for genetic material. It must not change with age or conditions.
Option (3) It should be catalytic and easily degradable. — Not true for genetic material. Being catalytic and reactive is why RNA is less stable; easily degradable is the opposite of stable.
Option (4) It should be able to express itself in the form of Mendelian characters. — True for genetic material. The genetic material must show its effect as traits, in the way Mendel’s characters appear in the offspring. This is one of the four criteria in the book.
NCERT Extract:
Properties of Genetic Material (DNA Versus RNA) – …
