Which of the following is not produced when RNA is completely hydrolysed?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → Amino acid
RNA is a nucleic acid: a chain of nucleotides, each made of a pentose sugar (β-D-ribose), a nitrogenous base and a phosphate group. Complete hydrolysis breaks it into these three parts only.
Option (1) Pentose sugar — Produced on complete hydrolysis of RNA. The sugar of RNA is β-D-ribose.
Option (2) Nitrogenous base — Produced on complete hydrolysis of RNA. These are the nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compounds (bases).
Option (3) Amino acid — Not produced on complete hydrolysis of RNA. Amino acids are the units of proteins, not of nucleic acids.
Option (4) Phosphoric acid — Produced on complete hydrolysis of RNA. It comes from the phosphate groups of the chain.
NCERT (2026-27 edition):
10.5.1 Chemical Composition of Nucleic Acids – “Complete hydrolysis of DNA (or RNA) yields a pentose sugar, phosphoric acid and nitrogen containing heterocyclic compounds (called bases). In DNA molecules, the sugar moiety is β-D-2-deoxyribose whereas in RNA molecule, it is β-D-ribose.”