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Deoxy , T vs Oxy , U - (Jan/18/2006 )

What are advantages of deoxy nature of DNA over RNA and Thymine over uracil???

Hrushikesh

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This is probably a homework question, but I'll give you a hint.

RNA has a 2' OH, right? DNA does not. Given what you know about the chemistry behind OH functional groups, what does that imply about the stability of RNA vs DNA?

Wow, I feel like a prof!

-Hank

-haringsh-

QUOTE (haringsh @ Jan 19 2006, 02:17 AM)
This is probably a homework question, but I'll give you a hint.

RNA has a 2' OH, right? DNA does not. Given what you know about the chemistry behind OH functional groups, what does that imply about the stability of RNA vs DNA?

Wow, I feel like a prof!

-Hank



1. Hydrolysis! but, why is hydrolysis occuring harmful???- the energy made available by it may help any unwanted reaction.But the double bond between C2 and C3 formed due to hydrolysis would block some enzyme activities. But as RNAs have enzymes requiring free OH group acting on them, the occurance of hydrolysis seems to be rare.So this doesn't seem to be important on short time interval, but as evolution is sooooooooo lengthy this seems to be important.

2. Now, uracil can readily get methylated so it has lesser life span. And Thymine can't be readily derived from any other nitrogen Base , so most mutations occured at A, G and C leave an identifieble error.Hope I've got it.

Hrushikesh

-743430-