Question

Given below are two statements
Statement I: Sequencing of DNA is much easier than RNA sequencing due to greater stability 
Statement II: The chemical method of DNA sequencing (Maxam & Gilbert) works for only single stranded DNA 
In light of the above statements, choose the correct answer from the options given below

• A. Both Statement I and Statement II are true
• B. Both Statement I and Statement II are false
• C. Statement I is true but Statement II is false
• D. Statement I is false but Statement II is true

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

To solve the given question, let's analyze each statement individually and determine the correct reasoning:

1. Statement I: "Sequencing of DNA is much easier than RNA sequencing due to greater stability."
   DNA is known to be more stable than RNA due to its deoxyribose sugar, which lacks the reactive hydroxyl group present in RNA. This increased stability in DNA facilitates easier handling and sequencing. On the contrary, RNA, being single-stranded and more prone to degradation, presents greater challenges in sequencing processes. Therefore, Statement I is true.
2. Statement II: "The chemical method of DNA sequencing (Maxam & Gilbert) works for only single stranded DNA."
   The Maxam-Gilbert sequencing technique, a chemical method, can indeed be used on denatured double-stranded DNA to make it single-stranded. The technique requires single-stranded DNA or denatured double-stranded DNA to work effectively, but it is not limited exclusively to inherently single-stranded DNA molecules. Hence, this statement is technically misleading and thus false.

Based on the analysis above, the correct answer is: Statement I is true but Statement II is false.