RNA as the presumed first genetic material

Question 1

What is required to replicate DNA and pass on genes?

Answer 1

Enzymes are needed to replicate DNA and pass on genes.

Question 2

What came first, DNA or RNA, according to some theories?

Answer 2

RNA may have been the first genetic material in earlier stages of evolution.

Question 3

Why might RNA have been used as genetic material instead of DNA?

Answer 3

RNA can store information like DNA but is also self-replicating and can act as a catalyst.

Question 4

Can viruses use RNA as their genetic material?

Answer 4

Yes, some RNA viruses (e.g., coronaviruses) use RNA to store genetic information.

Question 5

Why is RNA useful for viruses with high mutation rates?

Answer 5

RNA polymerase is less accurate than DNA polymerase, leading to higher mutation rates, which can help the virus evade the host’s immune system.

Question 6

Why is the change from RNA to DNA beneficial for living organisms?

Answer 6

In organisms with thousands of genes, genetic stability is important, so using DNA, which is more accurate, is advantageous.

Question 7

What are enzymes made of in cells?

Answer 7

Enzymes are made of proteins in cells.

Question 8

Can RNA act as a catalyst?

Answer 8

Yes, some cellular processes are catalyzed by RNA. For example, the ribosome’s large subunit’s core is made of RNA molecules.

Question 9

How does RNA catalyze reactions?

Answer 9

RNA can form complex 3D structures that interact precisely with other molecules, enabling it to catalyze reactions like peptide bond formation.