Classification of Genetic Material

Scott R James, Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Health Science Center, Texas, USA, Email: jamesscott@kumc.edu

Received: 01-Feb-2022, Manuscript No. AJPBP-22-53902; Editor assigned: 03-Feb-2022, Pre QC No. AJPBP-22-53902 (PQ); Reviewed: 17-Feb-2022, QC No. AJPBP-22-53902; Revised: 22-Feb-2022, Manuscript No. AJPBP-22-53902 (R); Published: 01-Mar-2022

Description

Distant past, scientists began looking for hereditary material in organisms. Some have previously argued that protein is the hereditary material. However, subsequent investigations demonstrated that DNA is the genetic substance responsible for characteristic inheritance. Hershey-experiment Chase’s confirmed it without a shadow of a doubt. However, investigations revealed that RNA substitutes DNA in several viruses, such as Tobacco mosaic virus, QB bacteriophage, and others, for unknown reasons. What characteristics do genetic materials have? What exactly is the distinction between DNA and RNA? Let’s talk about the responses to these topics.

Genetics is the study of the major and working codes of variation and heredity. Inheritance is the foundation that heredity is built on. It’s the process of passing down traits from one generation to the next. For his discoveries on the basic principles of heredity, Gregory Johann Mendel is renowned as the “Father of Modern Genetics. As the name implies, variation refers to the degree of dissimilarity that exists between children and their parents. It can be determined by looking at the behavioural, cytological, physiological, and morphological characteristics of people who belong to the same species. Although DNA is the most common form of inheritance, some viruses, such as retroviruses, also carry RNA. In higher species, RNA primarily functions as a messenger. Why do their roles differ despite the fact that they are both nucleic acids? The difference in chemical structure between DNA and RNA, according to scientists, is the reason behind this. A molecule must possess specific characteristics in order to be classified as genetic material.

They are as follows:

• Replication- the ability to make its copies.

• It should have chemical and structural stability

• Mutation, this should allow for evolution.

• It should have a hereditary unit that is based on “Mendelian inheritance”.

DNA vs. RNA

The contrast between DNA and RNA explains why DNA rather than RNA serves as the genetic material. When DNA and RNA are compared, it is clear that both nucleic acids can multiply. For continuation, stability is a crucial criterion. This criterion is met by DNA. Griffith’s experiment demonstrated this fact. When given the right conditions, the heat-killed S strain bacteria regained their aggressive properties. The presence of the 2’-OH group in RNA makes it more reactive. As a result, DNA has been shown to be less chemically reactive and structurally stable than RNA. Thymine makes DNA more stable than uracil, which is used to replace it in RNA. Because of its instability, RNA is more susceptible to mutation.

Because RNA evolves at a faster rate than genetic material, this trait aids virus with RNA. Finally, when it comes to the expression of Mendelian traits, RNA outperforms DNA. That is, RNA can code for protein synthesis independently of DNA, but DNA codes for protein synthesis through RNA. In the process of protein synthesis, RNA serves as a messenger for DNA. Despite the fact that both nucleic acids can serve as genetic material, DNA is far more favoured. DNA is chemically and physically stable, making it an excellent genetic material. In humans, RNA does not serve as a genetic material; instead, it serves as an adaptor, an enzyme, and aids in protein synthesis, among other things. RNA serves as a messenger for the transmission of information.

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