Which molecule is single-stranded?

Study for DNA History, Replication, and Protein Synthesis Test. Prepare with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question has hints and explanations. Master your exam content!

Multiple Choice

Which molecule is single-stranded?

Explanation:
The main idea here is how nucleic acids are arranged in their usual forms. DNA is typically double-stranded, pairing its two long chains into a stable double helix. RNA, in contrast, is usually a single strand that can fold into complex shapes by internal base pairing, but it does not settle into a fixed two-strand helix like DNA. Because of this, RNA is the single-stranded molecule in the common biological scenario. There are exceptions in biology, but for the standard understanding, RNA is single-stranded.

The main idea here is how nucleic acids are arranged in their usual forms. DNA is typically double-stranded, pairing its two long chains into a stable double helix. RNA, in contrast, is usually a single strand that can fold into complex shapes by internal base pairing, but it does not settle into a fixed two-strand helix like DNA. Because of this, RNA is the single-stranded molecule in the common biological scenario. There are exceptions in biology, but for the standard understanding, RNA is single-stranded.

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