Question

RNA molecules can have tertiary and quaternary structure, whereas DNA molecules do not. Which statement best explains why?

a.RNA's secondary structure can leave bases free for interactions that produce tertiary and quaternary structure; DNA's secondary structure does not.
b. RNA has an extra oxygen atom in its backbone, which makes RNA much less stable than DNA.
c.RNA contains uracil (U) whereas DNA contains thymine (T), so only RNA can have tertiary and quaternary structure.
d.RNA has secondary structure but DNA does not, so only RNA can have tertiary and quaternary structure

Answer 1

RNA molecules can have tertiary and quaternary structure due to their secondary structure allowing for interactions that produce these structures, unlike DNA molecules.

Step-by-step explanation:

RNA molecules can have tertiary and quaternary structure because they have a secondary structure that leaves bases free for interactions that produce tertiary and quaternary structure.

On the other hand, DNA molecules do not have tertiary and quaternary structure because their secondary structure does not allow for such interactions. The complementary base pairing in RNA allows the formation of three-dimensional structures, while DNA lacks this feature.