Which base is unique to RNA and not present in DNA?

Prepare for your Molecular Basis of Inheritance Test with flashcards and multiple-choice questions. Each question is accompanied by hints and explanations. Get test-ready!

Multiple Choice

Which base is unique to RNA and not present in DNA?

Explanation:
Uracil is the base used in RNA that isn’t used in DNA. Among the bases, RNA contains adenine, cytosine, guanine, and uracil, while DNA contains adenine, cytosine, guanine, and thymine. So the base unique to RNA is uracil. In base pairing, adenine pairs with uracil in RNA (analogous to A with T in DNA). The presence of thymine in DNA (instead of uracil) helps stabilize the DNA and aids repair systems in recognizing deamination events that would otherwise confuse uracil with a normal base.

Uracil is the base used in RNA that isn’t used in DNA. Among the bases, RNA contains adenine, cytosine, guanine, and uracil, while DNA contains adenine, cytosine, guanine, and thymine. So the base unique to RNA is uracil. In base pairing, adenine pairs with uracil in RNA (analogous to A with T in DNA). The presence of thymine in DNA (instead of uracil) helps stabilize the DNA and aids repair systems in recognizing deamination events that would otherwise confuse uracil with a normal base.

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