Which of the following is correct about RNA?
(A) Unstable and mutates slower
(B) Unstable and mutates faster
(C) Stable and mutates faster
(D) Stable and mutates slower
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → (B) Only
(A) Unstable and mutates slower — False. Being unstable, RNA mutates faster.
(B) Unstable and mutates faster — True.
(C) Stable and mutates faster — False. RNA is unstable.
(D) Stable and mutates slower — False. This describes DNA.
NCERT Extract:
Properties of Genetic Material (DNA Versus RNA) – “… In fact, the presence of thymine at the place of uracil also confers additional stability to DNA. (Detailed discussion about this requires understanding of the process of repair in DNA, and you will study these processes in higher classes.) Both DNA and RNA are able to mutate. In fact, RNA being unstable, mutate at a faster rate. Consequently, viruses having RNA genome and having shorter life span mutate and evolve faster.”
Properties of Genetic Material (DNA Versus RNA) – “… Therefore, DNA chemically is less reactive and structurally more stable when compared to RNA.”