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BIO NMDCAT Ribonucleic acid (RNA)
nmdcat.online July 3, 2026

89. During the chemical extraction of total cellular nucleic acids, treating the sample with a mild alkaline solution at an elevated temperature causes the selective degradation of RNA while leaving DNA intact. The chemical explanation for this observation is

A. The presence of uracil makes the RNA backbone highly unstable
B. The 2' hydroxyl group on the ribose sugar undergoes autophilic attack on the phosphodiester bond
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C. DNA contains methyl groups on thymine that block hydroxyl ion entry
D. RNA lacks a double-helical configuration to shelter its individual phosphodiester bonds

📝 Explanation

In basic solutions, the 2'-OH group of ribose is deprotonated, launching a nucleophilic attack on the adjacent phosphorus atom that breaks the RNA backbone.

📖 Additional Information

  • The presence of uracil makes the RNA backbone highly unstable
  • The 2' hydroxyl group on the ribose sugar undergoes autophilic attack on the phosphodiester bond
  • DNA contains methyl groups on thymine that block hydroxyl ion entry
  • RNA lacks a double-helical configuration to shelter its individual phosphodiester bonds

In basic solutions, the 2'-OH group of ribose is deprotonated, launching a nucleophilic attack on the adjacent phosphorus atom that breaks the RNA backbone.

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