Question:

Given below are two statements :
Statement (I): Irradiation of DNA with UV light cause formation of covalent bond between the thymine molecules on the same strand.
Statement (II): Thiamine dimerization in DNA caused by UV radiations can be reverted by Photo-reactivation.
In light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below.

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Photoreactivation is a direct, error-free DNA repair mechanism found in bacteria, plants, and many animals, but is absent in placental mammals (including humans), which must rely on excision repair instead.
  • Both Statement (I) and Statement (II) are false.
  • Both Statement (I) and Statement (II) are true.
  • Statement (I) is true but Statement (II) is false.
  • Statement (I) is false but Statement (II) is true.
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The Correct Option is B

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is a physical mutagen that damages DNA structure.
Cells have evolved various DNA repair mechanisms, such as photoreactivation, to fix this UV-induced damage.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:

Let us evaluate both statements:
- Statement (I): Exposing cells to UV light (specifically UV-B and UV-C) damages DNA.
It excites adjacent pyrimidine bases, primarily thymines, located on the same strand of DNA.
This excitation causes them to form covalent bonds with each other (cyclobutane rings), producing thymine dimers.
These dimers distort the DNA double helix, blocking replication and transcription.
Thus, Statement (I) is true.
- Statement (II): Pyrimidine dimerization (referred to in the exam as "thiamine dimerization") can be directly repaired by a process called photoreactivation.
This pathway uses the enzyme DNA photolyase, which binds specifically to the dimers.
When activated by absorbing visible blue light, photolyase uses this energy to break the covalent bonds of the dimer, restoring the original bases without damaging the phosphodiester backbone.
Thus, Statement (II) is true.
Therefore, both statements are correct.

Step 3: Final Answer:

Both Statement (I) and Statement (II) are true, corresponding to option (B).
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