Which statement about RNA and DNA is accurate?

The accurate statement is that RNA contains a hydroxyl group on the 2' carbon, making it more reactive than DNA. In RNA, the sugar component is ribose, which has a hydroxyl group (-OH) attached to the 2' carbon. This hydroxyl group gives RNA a greater level of reactivity, especially in biochemical reactions, compared to DNA, which uses deoxyribose sugar that lacks a hydroxyl group at the 2' position, having only a hydrogen atom there. This difference in the sugar structure is crucial, as it influences the stability and function of the nucleic acids.

In RNA, this added hydroxyl group contributes to its often transient nature in cells, where it can be easily broken down and degraded. The reactivity of RNA is significant in processes like RNA splicing and the catalytic activity of ribozymes. The stability of DNA, on the other hand, is due in part to its lack of this 2' hydroxyl group, which makes it less reactive and more suitable for long-term storage of genetic information.

Understanding the structural differences between RNA and DNA is essential in genetics, as it helps clarify why RNA plays roles in catalysis and transient gene expression, while DNA serves as the