GATE BT 2013 • Q1 MCQ • 1 Mark

Section 2: General Biotechnology

Biomolecules, enzyme kinetics

Subtopic: Fundamentals of Biomolecules, enzyme kinetics

Question Statement:

Under alkaline conditions, DNA is more stable than RNA because

Options:

  • (A) RNA forms secondary structures
  • (B) RNA is a single stranded molecule
  • (C) RNA has uracil in place of thymidine
  • (D) RNA is susceptible to hydrolysis

Official Answer Key:

D

Step-by-Step Solution & Explanation

### **Official Solution & Step-by-Step Derivation (GATE BT 2013 Q.1)** **1. Governing Concept & Syllabus Classification**: - **Section**: BT - **Question Type**: **MCQ** (1 Mark) - **Core Topic**: Quantitative & Analytical Aptitude **2. Detailed Step-by-Step Analytical & Scientific Derivation**: - **Systematic Conceptual & Option-by-Option Evaluation**: - Problem Focus: *"Under alkaline conditions, DNA is more stable than RNA because..."* - **Option (D) [CORRECT]**: *"RNA is susceptible to hydrolysis"* - Validated by canonical biochemistry/biotechnology literature. Specifically matches the molecular mechanism, kinetic model, or empirical finding required. - **Option (A) [INCORRECT]**: *"RNA forms secondary structures"* does not satisfy the precise boundary conditions or molecular specificity. - **Option (B) [INCORRECT]**: *"RNA is a single stranded molecule"* does not satisfy the precise boundary conditions or molecular specificity. - **Option (C) [INCORRECT]**: *"RNA has uracil in place of thymidine"* does not satisfy the precise boundary conditions or molecular specificity. **3. Final Answer / Verification Summary**: - **Official GATE Answer Key**: **D** - **Scoring Criteria**: 1 Mark (Negative marking: -0.33 marks).

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