Table of contents

1. Introduction to Genetics51m
2. Mendel's Laws of Inheritance3h 37m
3. Extensions to Mendelian Inheritance2h 41m
4. Genetic Mapping and Linkage2h 28m
5. Genetics of Bacteria and Viruses1h 21m
6. Chromosomal Variation1h 48m
7. DNA and Chromosome Structure56m
8. DNA Replication1h 10m
9. Mitosis and Meiosis1h 34m
10. Transcription1h 0m
11. Translation58m
12. Gene Regulation in Prokaryotes1h 19m
13. Gene Regulation in Eukaryotes44m
14. Genetic Control of Development44m
15. Genomes and Genomics1h 50m
16. Transposable Elements47m
17. Mutation, Repair, and Recombination1h 6m
18. Molecular Genetic Tools19m
- Genetic Cloning
  9m
- Methods for Analyzing DNA
  9m
19. Cancer Genetics29m
- Overview of Cancer
  21m
- Cancer Mutations
  7m
20. Quantitative Genetics1h 26m
21. Population Genetics50m
- Hardy Weinberg
  19m
- Allelic Frequency Changes
  31m
22. Evolutionary Genetics29m

7. DNA and Chromosome Structure

DNA as the Genetic Material

Genetics

7. DNA and Chromosome Structure

DNA as the Genetic Material

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Multiple Choice

How would early cells benefit from DNA replacing RNA as the primary information storage molecule?

DNA contains uracil, which makes it less prone to mutations.

DNA is chemically more stable than RNA, reducing the likelihood of genetic information loss.

DNA can directly catalyze biochemical reactions, increasing metabolic efficiency.

DNA is single-stranded, allowing for faster replication than RNA.

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Verified step by step guidance

Understand the chemical differences between DNA and RNA, focusing on their sugar components and nitrogenous bases. DNA contains deoxyribose sugar and thymine, while RNA contains ribose sugar and uracil.

Recognize that the presence of deoxyribose in DNA makes it less reactive and more chemically stable compared to the ribose in RNA, which has a reactive hydroxyl group that can lead to strand breakage.

Consider how chemical stability affects the preservation of genetic information: a more stable molecule like DNA is less prone to spontaneous mutations and degradation over time.

Evaluate the functional roles of DNA and RNA: DNA primarily serves as a long-term storage molecule for genetic information, whereas RNA often acts as a transient messenger or catalyst.

Conclude that early cells would benefit from DNA replacing RNA as the primary information storage molecule because DNA's chemical stability reduces the likelihood of genetic information loss, ensuring more reliable inheritance.