Why is RNA RNA more stable than DNA DNA?

Due to its deoxyribose sugar, which contains one less oxygen-containing hydroxyl group, DNA is a more stable molecule than RNA, which is useful for a molecule which has the task of keeping genetic information safe. RNA, containing a ribose sugar, is more reactive than DNA and is not stable in alkaline conditions.

What is RNA DNA hybrid?

RNA/DNA hybrids form when RNA hybridizes with its template DNA generating a three-stranded structure known as the R-loop. They include proteins that are involved in a variety of functions, including most steps of RNA processing. The proteins are enriched for K homology (KH) and helicase domains.

Why is double stranded DNA more stable than single stranded DNA?

The double-stranded helical structure of DNA is maintained primarily by the hydrogen bonds, which are weak bonds. Therefore, double-stranded DNA with a higher number of G-C base pairs will be more strongly bonded together, more stable, and will have a higher melting temperature.

Why is RNA structure so unstable?

Rather than deoxyribose, RNA is composed of ribose sugars. The hydroxyl group in it makes it more unstable compared to DNA as it is more prone to hydrolysis and degradation.

What is being compared during DNA hybridization studies of two bacteria?

DNA–DNA hybridization was once used as a primary method to distinguish bacterial species; a similarity value greater than 70\% and ≤ 5 ºC in ΔTm in the stability of the heteroduplex is described as indicating that the compared strains belonged to the same species.

Why is double-stranded RNA more stable?

Double-stranded RNA is more stable than DNA because DNA contains one less hydroxyl group than RNA’s ribose.

Why is RNA unstable?

What contributes to the flexibility of DNA?

Chemical determinants of DNA flexibility Among the most important of these are the electronic configurations of its component base pairs, the number of intra- and inter-base pair H-bonds and the presence of exocyclic groups in the major and minor grooves.

What makes DNA flexible?

A long stretch of DNA is resistant to bending, but experiments suggest that short DNA strands are much more flexible. DNA is deformed when some proteins bind to it or when it gets wrapped up in chromosomes, so researchers believe that it has probably evolved to be not-too-stiff at these short scales.