Question

Name any 2 criteria for a molecule to act as a genetic substance?

Answer 1

Genetic material: Criteria for the molecule to act as the genetic material:

1. Replication: The molecule is able to duplicate its own genetic material by faithful replication. This property is generally shown by both DNA and RNA. Proteins & other molecules present in the living being do not exhibit this property.
2. Stability: The stability of the genetic material should exist. It should not change its structure easily with the changed stages of life, the age of physiology of living beings.
   1. RNA is liable & easily degradable due to the presence of the 2’—OH group present in each of the nucleotides.
   2. As RNA is catalytic, it also becomes reactive. Because DNA is generally more stable than RNA, it is said to be better genetic material.
   3. The presence of thymine instead of the uracil is also another reason which leads to the stability of DNA.