The first genetic material could be

Options

A. protein
B. carbohydrates
C. DNA
D. RNA

Answer

D

Explanation

RNA was the first genetic mate rial. There now enough evidence to suggest that essential life processes (e.g., metabolism, translation and splicing), evolved from RNA. RNA is used to act as a genetic material as well as a catalyst (there are some important biochemical reactions in living systems that are catalysed by RNA catalysts and not by pro tein enzymes). But, RNA being a catalyst was reactive and hence unstable. Therefore, DNA has evolved from RNA with chemical modifi cations that make it more stable. DNA being double-stranded and having complementary strand, further resists changes by evolving a process of repair.