NEETZoologyMolecular Basis of Inheritance
What is the role of RNA catalysts in living systems?
Options
- ARNA catalysts catalyze important biochemical reactions
- BRNA catalysts are replaced by protein enzymes
- CRNA catalysts are not used in living systems
- DRNA catalysts are not important in living systems
Correct answer
A. RNA catalysts catalyze important biochemical reactions
Step-by-step solution
RNA was the first genetic material. There is now enough evidence to suggest that essential life processes (such as metabolism, translation, splicing, etc.), evolved around RNA. RNA used to act as a genetic material as well as a catalyst (there are some important biochemical reactions in living systems that are catalyzed by RNA catalysts and not by protein enzymes). But, RNA being a catalyst was reactive and hence unstable. Therefore, DNA has evolved from RNA with chemical modifications that make it more stable. DNA