• Question: How did the DNA code originate?

    Asked by n3rdy to Gopal, Hannah, Becky, Vince on 26 Jun 2013.
    • Photo: Rebecca Cook

      Rebecca Cook answered on 26 Jun 2013:

      This is not particular well understood as there is not a large amount of evidence. The most popular theory is that DNA evolved from a from of an ancient RNA.This RNA would have been able to catalyse reactions and also contain genetic material. The code of four letters might come from this as a balance was needed to ensure the genetic material was not difficult to replicate but diverse enough to allow variation for catalytic efficiency.

      DNA has evolutionary advantage over RNA as it much more stable due to its double helix structure.

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