RNA World and Evolution to DNA — NEET Biology
✅ Asked in NEET 2018RNA was the first genetic material. There is now enough evidence to suggest that essential life processes (such as metabolism, translation, splicing, etc.), evolved around RNA. RNA used to act as a genetic material as well as a catalyst (there are some important biochemical reactions in living systems that are catalysed by RNA catalysts and not by protein enzymes). But, RNA being a catalyst was reactive and hence unstable. Therefore, DNA has evolved from RNA with chemical modifications that make it more stable. DNA being double stranded and having complementary strand further resists changes by evolving a process of repair.
NTA tests whether students understand that RNA was the first genetic material and acted as both catalyst (ribozymes) and information carrier. The key trap is students confusing why DNA replaced RNA—it's NOT because DNA is better at catalysis, but because DNA is MORE STABLE. RNA's catalytic reactivity made it unstable, so organisms evolved DNA with double-stranded structure and repair mechanisms for genetic stability. Remember: RNA = catalyst + genetic material but unstable; DNA = stable genetic material (evolved from RNA). This concept appears in origin of life and molecular evolution questions testing conceptual depth beyond simple facts.
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