why dna molecule more stable genetic material than rna?
why dna molecule more stable genetic material than rna?
DNA molecule more stable genetic material than RNA because it is double stranded with no areas for molecular bonding. RNA being an single-stranded is more prone to chemical reactions. The presence of the –OH group on the second carbon chain of the ribose sugar makes a ribopolynucleotide less stable than a deoxyribose molecule. The presence of 2’-OH group on the ribose sugar makes it susceptible to nucleophilic attack in the presence of OH (ions) on the 5’-phosphorous atom, thus causing breakage of the phosphodiester link and forming a 2,’3’ cyclic phosphate. Moreover, the double stranded DNA has relatively small grooves as opposed to the larger grooves on RNA molecules. This provides ample docking space for damaging enzymes. Base pairing bears little relation to the stability of one molecule over another. DNA has two types of base pairing: AT (double hydrogen bond) and GC (triple hydrogen bond). With RNA, thymine (T) is replaced by Uracil (U). But, as far as bond strength is concerned, there is little difference between AT and AU.
DNA molecule more stable genetic material than RNA because it is double stranded with no areas for molecular bonding. RNA being an single-stranded is more prone to chemical reactions. The presence of the –OH group on the second carbon chain of the ribose sugar makes a ribopolynucleotide less stable than a deoxyribose molecule. The presence of 2’-OH group on the ribose sugar makes it susceptible to nucleophilic attack in the presence of OH (ions) on the 5’-phosphorous atom, thus causing breakage of the phosphodiester link and forming a 2,’3’ cyclic phosphate. Moreover, the double stranded DNA has relatively small grooves as opposed to the larger grooves on RNA molecules. This provides ample docking space for damaging enzymes. Base pairing bears little relation to the stability of one molecule over another. DNA has two types of base pairing: AT (double hydrogen bond) and GC (triple hydrogen bond). With RNA, thymine (T) is replaced by Uracil (U). But, as far as bond strength is concerned, there is little difference between AT and AU.
