Given below are two statements: Statement I: RNA mutates at a faster rate. Statement II: Viruses having RNA…

Given below are two statements:

Statement I: RNA mutates at a faster rate.

Statement II: Viruses having RNA genome and shorter life span mutate and evolve faster.

In the light of the above statements, choose the correct answer from the options given below:

  1. Statement I is false but Statement II is true.
  2. Both Statement I and Statement II are true.
  3. Both Statement I and Statement II are false.
  4. Statement I is true but Statement II is false.

Solution

RNA contains 

A ribose sugar A phosphate group Purines (like A and G) and pyrimidines (like C and U).

Being unstable, which is due to the hydroxyl group present at the $2'$-carbon of the ribose, RNA mutates faster than DNA. That is also the reason that viruses having RNA genome and shorter life span mutate and evolve faster.

Asked in: NEET 2023 (All India)

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