A change in DNA on a chromosome affects all proteins made from that gene for the life of the cell. A change in the RNA involved in protein production is short lived. What is the difference between the effects of the changes in the two types of nucleic acids? A. DNA is the genetic material that is passed from parent cells to daughter cells and to future generations. B. DNA would not affect the individuals as the proteins made are finally altered and modified. RNA would cause harm to the person as the RNA is encoded by the DNA and is not altered. C. DNA is the genetic material and is transferred from one generation to another making use of repair mechanisms for every mutation. The RNA does not use a repair mechanism. D. DNA, when mutated, makes use of the repair mechanisms and can be repaired whereas RNA is not repaired and is transferred in generations.
Answer
🧬 Understanding the Impact of DNA vs. RNA Mutations
🔍 Core Concept
DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid) serves as the long-term genetic blueprint for all cells. A mutation in DNA alters the original instructions, affecting every mRNA transcribed and every protein translated from that gene—for the life of the cell and its descendants.
RNA (Ribonucleic Acid), on the other hand, is a temporary messenger transcribed from DNA. It is short-lived and continuously broken down and replaced. A mutation or error in RNA affects only the protein translated from that specific transcript and does not propagate through generations.
đź“Ś Correct Explanation: Option A
âś… This is correct. DNA changes are heritable and permanent within the cell lineage unless repaired. Mutations in DNA can impact all future mRNA transcripts and proteins encoded by that gene. In contrast, RNA changes are not inherited and do not affect future cell generations.
❌ Why the Other Options Are Incorrect
- B: Incorrect logic. It falsely claims DNA changes don’t affect the individual, which is untrue. Mutated DNA leads to defective proteins, possibly causing genetic diseases.
- C: Misleading. While DNA does have repair mechanisms, this choice wrongly implies RNA mutations are negligible because of no repair—which is unrelated to inheritance.
- D: Incorrect. RNA is not passed to future generations; only DNA is. RNA errors are transient and not inherited.
🧪 Final Insight
Mutations in DNA have a long-term and potentially heritable impact, affecting all subsequent proteins made from that gene. RNA mutations are short-lived and localized to the proteins made from that particular RNA strand.
âś… Final Answer
A. DNA is the genetic material that is passed from parent cells to daughter cells and to future generations.
đź’ˇ Tip: Always distinguish between stable, heritable DNA mutations and temporary RNA transcription errors. This is essential in genetics and biotechnology.