Question

Which of the following is not a feature of RNA?

• A. Ribose in backbone
• B. Principally single stranded
• C. Uracil
• D. Presence of major and minor grooves

Hint:

Remember:
• RNA \(\rightarrow\) Ribose + Uracil + Mostly single stranded
• DNA \(\rightarrow\) Deoxyribose + Thymine + Double helix \[ \text{Major and minor grooves are characteristic features of DNA double helix} \]

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Concept: RNA (Ribonucleic Acid) differs from DNA in several structural and functional aspects. Important characteristics of RNA include:
• Presence of ribose sugar
• Use of uracil instead of thymine
• Mostly single-stranded structure Major and minor grooves are characteristic structural features prominently associated with the double-helical structure of DNA.

Step 1: Identifying the true features of RNA. RNA contains:
• Ribose sugar in its backbone
• Nitrogenous base uracil
• Mostly single-stranded configuration Thus: \[ \text{Options (A), (B), and (C) are features of RNA} \]

Step 2: Understanding why option (D) is incorrect. Major and minor grooves are well-defined structural features of: \[ \text{Double-stranded DNA helix} \] Since RNA is generally single stranded, it does not typically possess the characteristic major and minor grooves seen in DNA. Therefore: \[ \boxed{\text{Presence of major and minor grooves is not a feature of RNA}} \]

Step 3: Eliminating the incorrect choices.
• Option (A): RNA contains ribose sugar.
• Option (B): RNA is principally single stranded.
• Option (C): RNA contains uracil instead of thymine. Hence, option (D) is the correct answer. \[ \boxed{\text{RNA generally lacks the characteristic major and minor grooves of DNA}} \]