answersLogoWhite

0

The prevailing idea among molecular biologists is that RNA came first, in an "RNA world".

There are several arguments used to support this idea. One is that DNA needs RNA in order to replicate, but RNA can replicate itself. Also RNA has catalytic properties; DNA does not. The first nucleic acid must have been able to replicate itself and to catalyze the process.

Another line of evidence involves the way that most cells synthesize the components of the two nucleic acids. The nucleotides of RNA (ribonucleotides) are assembled from simpler molecules, but those of DNA are produced by modification of ribonucleotides (the sugar of the ribonucleotide, ribose, is reduced to form deoxyribose, and if the base in the nucleotide is uracil it is methylated to form thymine).

User Avatar

Wiki User

16y ago

What else can I help you with?

Related Questions

How could all three of them have come into existence at the same time since RNA DNA and proteins all need each other for life to continue?

RNA doesn't need proteins nor does it need DNA. RNA probably came first. And it is known that RNA can form peptide bonds which can make proteins. DNA would have come later. They don't need each other, from an evolutionary standpoint. Modern DNA and RNA and proteins are interlocked, but earlier forms clearly weren't.


Which came first, DNA or RNA?

DNA came first before RNA in the evolution of life on Earth. DNA is considered to be the genetic material that stores and transmits genetic information, while RNA plays a crucial role in protein synthesis and other cellular processes.


Which came first in the evolution of life, DNA or RNA?

RNA likely came first in the evolution of life before DNA. RNA is thought to have been an early molecule that played a crucial role in the development of life on Earth.


What enzyme transcribes DNA?

The enzyme that transcribes the DNA into RNA is called RNA polymerase.


What is the name of the nucleotides have no DNA and no RNA?

Nucleotides do not have DNA or RNA. DNA and RNA are composed of nucleotides.


What is the first step in decoding genetic messages?

The first step in decoding genetic messages is transcription, where the DNA sequence is copied into a messenger RNA (mRNA) molecule by RNA polymerase.


What does the synthesis of a new strand of DNA begin?

Following the initiation of DNA replication, the first step is the synthesis of a short RNA primer.


What is the substance in RNA but not DNA?

An uracil base is in RNA but not in DNA


What base does RNA have that DNA does not have?

RNA has the base uracil that DNA does not have.


What distinguishes RNA from DNA?

First of all, RNA has ribose, which is what the R stands for. DNA had deoxyribose, which is what the D stands for. Also, RNA is a single strand, while DNA id double- stranded and has a double helix shape. Thirdly, DNA has Thymine, while RNA has Uracil.


Are DNA and RNA carbohydrates?

Yes, DNA and RNA have different sugar . DNA contains deoxyribose sugar whereas RNA consists of ribose sugar, which are completely different from each other.


What are the 30 differences between DNA and RNA?

Comparing DNA and RNA, some key differences include: DNA is double-stranded, while RNA is single-stranded; DNA contains deoxyribose sugar, RNA contains ribose sugar; DNA has thymine base, RNA has uracil base; DNA is found in the nucleus, RNA is found in the cytoplasm; DNA is stable, RNA is less stable; DNA is the genetic material, RNA is involved in protein synthesis. These are just a few of the many distinctions between DNA and RNA.