Given below are two statements: Statement I: RNA mutates at a faster rate. Statement II: Viruses having RNA genome and shorter life span mutate and evolve faster. In the light of the above statements, choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Answer: (A) Both Statements 1 and 2 are true. Answer: (A) Both Statements 1 and 2 are true Solution: RNA mutates at a faster rate (lacks proofreading), so Statement I is true.
- A.Both Statements 1 and 2 are true✓
- B.Both statements 1 and 2 are false
- C.Statement 1 is true, but Statement 2 is false
- D.Statement 1 is false, but Statement 2 is true
Correct Answer
(A) Both Statements 1 and 2 are true
Solution & Explanation
Answer: (A) Both Statements 1 and 2 are true Solution: RNA mutates at a faster rate (lacks proofreading), so Statement I is true. Viruses with an RNA genome and a short generation time accumulate mutations and evolve faster, so Statement II is true and explains the consequence of Statement I. This is extension content beyond the NCERT prose; NCERT establishes that viral genetic material may be RNA or DNA. NCERT Reference: NCERT Class XI, Biological Classification, p.20, lines 15-16 — "viruses also contain genetic material, that could be either RNA or DNA"