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rosijanka [135]
3 years ago
13

What are the advantages and disadvantages of using RNA or protein as genetic material?

Biology
1 answer:
larisa86 [58]3 years ago
7 0

The most important idea is that the genetic material of any organism must be able to accurately replicate itself at least every generation (or for multicellular organisms at each cell division).  

Base pairing (A-T or U and C-G)allows DNA and RNA (eg in polio virus, see Wikipedia page on RNA dependent RNA polymerase) to create a copy of themselves, when the appropriate enzymes are present. Proteins have no way of making a copy of themselves.  

Stability is probably the main reason DNA is the most common genetic material. DNA has no enzymatic activity and was probably selected for to maintain the integrity of the genetic material (rather than having to perform a function for the cell/virus, during which it may be destroyed). The double helix structure also protects its integrity, and proofreading enzymes have also evolved which correct most of the mistakes made at DNA replication. RNA viruses don't have this mechanism- which could be said to be an advantage (as they can rapidly change and therefore avoid their hosts' immune systems), however in non-parasitic organisms most mutations in a gene would lead to a loss of an essential function and the extinction of that genome.  

I don't think either of these reasons are relevant, but I think the main reasons retroviruses convert their RNA to DNA are so they can use the host cell's replication machinery (this was they do not need to encode as many genes), and secondly they need avoid the antiviral mechanisms of the cell, which would destroy any double stranded RNA molecules found (even if the virus was single stranded, dsRNA would have to be produced at replication).  

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What is the basic difference between simple diffusion and facilitated diffusion across a cell membrane? hints?
Licemer1 [7]

Simple diffusion is the process by which a substance moves across a cell membrane from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration. Substances that move by simple diffusion are able to diffuse directly across the phospholipid bilayer of the cell membrane. These substances are generally small and neutral, as large or charged particles cannot cross the phospholipid bilayer. Some examples of molecules that move by simple diffusion are carbon dioxide and oxygen.  

Facilitated diffusion is the process by which a substance moves across a cell membrane from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration with the aid of a membrane protein. Substances that move by facilitated diffusion are not able to diffuse directly across the phospholipid bilayer of the cell membrane. These substances are generally large and/or charged. They therefore travel through a protein channel in the cell membrane along their concentration gradient. Some examples of substances that can move by facilitated diffusion are glucose, sodium ions and chloride ions.  

The similarities between facilitated diffusion and simple diffusion are:  

They both involve the movement of a substance across a cell membrane along its concentration gradient (from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration).  

They are both examples of passive transport, as neither requires energy from the cell to move the substance across the membrane.

8 0
3 years ago
Controlled nuclear chain reactions ____.
inna [77]
<span>Answer: a. take place in nuclear reactors

</span><span>Controlled nuclear chain reactions are the reaction in nuclear reactors. The reaction is controlled to make its rate slower. This will make the reaction relatively safer, so the energy produced can be changed into electricity in power plant. When the reaction is not controlled, it could cause explosive like in nuclear bomb.</span>
3 0
3 years ago
Read 2 more answers
I need help with this
Inessa [10]

G...eventually the larger fish would catch on that these smaller fish are a problem.

8 0
3 years ago
2 Why is the heart not joined<br>to any bones?​
denis23 [38]

Answer:

Because it is a muscular body organ

8 0
3 years ago
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DDT is an insecticide that was formerly used to control insects that would eat crops. It was banned from use in the 1970s.
Reil [10]
<h2>It contains toxins</h2><h2>It killed off bird populations.</h2><h2>It caused harm to human populations.</h2>

Explanation:

Let us understand the term DDT

DDT : Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane

  • This is a crystalline chemical compound
  • Basically used for protecting insects eating crops
  • It is colorless, odorless, tasteless
  • Initially used as pesticides

It killed off bird populations: Though it does not kill birds directly by consuming, it has indirectly damaged the egg by making the egg's shell too thin which gets broken easily.

It controlled diseases like malaria: Since this option talks about positive attribute of DDT, this option stands invalid. This chemical compound controls mosquitoes attacking the crop.

It caused harm to human populations: DDT causes vomiting, tremors or shakiness, and seizures

It contained toxins: It contains moderate toxins.

5 0
3 years ago
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