Quick Chemistry Question?

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This is from Barron's book

RNA differs from DNA in that it
(A) cannot base pair
(B) doesn't contain phosphate groups
(C) is not used to synthesize new molecules of itself
(D) contains uracil rather than thymine found in DNA


At first both C and D sounded correct to me. But then I remembered that RNA dependent RNA polymerases exist...so RNA probably has a way to synthesize RNA from itself (still not sure about this though).
So I went with D.
The answer is C...
Can anyone explain this to me? The way the explanation describes it, both C and D seem correct...but I'm not sure anymore lol. My brain is officially fried >______>
 
This is from Barron's book

RNA differs from DNA in that it
(A) cannot base pair
(B) doesn't contain phosphate groups
(C) is not used to synthesize new molecules of itself
(D) contains uracil rather than thymine found in DNA


At first both C and D sounded correct to me. But then I remembered that RNA dependent RNA polymerases exist...so RNA probably has a way to synthesize RNA from itself (still not sure about this though).
So I went with D.
The answer is C...
Can anyone explain this to me? The way the explanation describes it, both C and D seem correct...but I'm not sure anymore lol. My brain is officially fried >______>


RNA Polymerase is a transcription factor from DNA to RNA, and thus it produces complimentary nucleotide RNA strand.

So, you need DNA in order to transcribe into an RNA, so RNA cannot transcribe RNA. 👍
 
RNA Polymerase is a transcription factor from DNA to RNA, and thus it produces complimentary nucleotide RNA strand.

So, you need DNA in order to transcribe into an RNA, so RNA cannot transcribe RNA. 👍

I think I remember something about RNA dependent RNA polymerase helping RNA viruses synthesize a positive RNA strand or something?
 
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C and D look correct to me. It is not good PCAT question

1. The best answer will be "C" knowing the fact that there may be genetic mutation, and this question doesn't specify viruses from cells either.

2. Never study out of Barron's PCAT book (There are many questions that are vague, wrong, and or poorly written) I recommend PCAT Destroyer and Dr. Collins.

EDIT:
This question is a generalized question, so we have to look at this in a General Biology 1 point of view, instead of Microbiology, or Cell Biology. Now that I think about it, I remember while studying barrons, I also encountered this question last year...

Hope this helps 👍
 
Last edited:
1. The best answer will be "C" knowing the fact that there may be genetic mutation, and this question doesn't specify viruses from cells either.

2. Never study out of Barron's PCAT book (There are many questions that are vague, wrong, and or poorly written) I recommend PCAT Destroyer and Dr. Collins.

EDIT:
This question is a generalized question, so we have to look at this in a General Biology 1 point of view, instead of Microbiology, or Cell Biology. Now that I think about it, I remember while studying barrons, I also encountered this question last year...

Hope this helps 👍

Thanks
 
RNA Polymerase is a transcription factor from DNA to RNA, and thus it produces complimentary nucleotide RNA strand.

So, you need DNA in order to transcribe into an RNA, so RNA cannot transcribe RNA. 👍
Please how good is PCAT Destroyer, I am thinking of buying it, I want to know from somebody that have used it so that I dont end up waisting my money. I will appreciate a reply from you.
 
Please how good is PCAT Destroyer, I am thinking of buying it, I want to know from somebody that have used it so that I dont end up waisting my money. I will appreciate a reply from you.


They have a lot of practice tests that you can take, but it's not a comprehensive review. But there is a "tip" that gives you explanations to questions you are trying to answer.

There is no essays, reading comprehensions and a very clumped quantitative reasoning.

👍