Given below are two statements Statement I: In the RNA world, RNA is considered the first genetic material evolved to carry out e…

Question

Given below are two statements:

Statement I: In the RNA world, RNA is considered the first genetic material evolved to carry out essential life processes. RNA acts as a genetic material and also as a catalyst for some important biochemical reactions in living systems. Being reactive, RNA is unstable.

Statement II: DNA evolved from RNA and is a more stable genetic material. Its double helical strands being complementary, resist changes by evolving repairing mechanism. In the light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:

1. A. Both statement I and statement II are correct (Correct answer)
2. B. Both statement I and statement II are incorrect
3. C. Statement I is correct but statement II is incorrect
4. D. Statement I is incorrect but statement II is correct

Correct Answer

Option A — Both statement I and statement II are correct

Detailed Solution & Explanation

The correct answer is Both statement I and statement II are correct.

Key Points

• In the RNA world, RNA was the first genetic material and also acted as a catalyst (ribozyme); being reactive, it is unstable — Statement I is correct.
• DNA evolved from RNA and is more stable; its complementary double-stranded structure allows repair of changes — Statement II is correct and explains why DNA replaced RNA as genetic material.