× Didn't find what you were looking for? Ask a question
Top Posters
Since Sunday
w
5
a
3
j
2
a
2
t
2
u
2
r
2
j
2
j
2
l
2
d
2
y
2
Home Q & A Board Biology-Related Homework Help Cell Biology
New Topic  
firestorm5 firestorm5
wrote...
Posts: 36
Rep: 0 0
12 years ago
I was just wondering was there a certian to reason that one uses uracil and the other uses thymine, has it been like this since the beginning of time or what? Thank you.
Read 695 times
3 Replies

Related Topics

Replies
wrote...
#1
12 years ago
In all liklihood it just has always been that way.

BTW - RNA *can* contain other nucleotides than just A, U, C, and G. For example ribothimidine (the RNA version of T) and pseudouridine (modified U).
These are non-coding; instead, they are generally structural components: for example, stabilising the loop structures in tRNA, or in rRNA.
There are over 100 different RNA nucleotides.
wrote...
#2
12 years ago
It's thought that RNA predates DNA as a hereditary material; following those lines, uracil is a simpler molecule to synthesize than thymine and is thus more likely evolve first along with RNA.

However, DNA uses thymine because it is more stable than uracil.  Cytosine mutates readily into uracil, but by having thymine, it's easier to find the errors and have them corrected.
wrote...
#3
12 years ago
thymine is better attached to the DNA and uracil makes a weaker bond.. so i can tell you  a consequence of this.. can serve as an indirect answer.. DNA should be as stable as possible.. minimum mutations.. thats where thymine helps.. and RNA has to keep forming fr newer proteins and doesnt need to stay too long.. so uracil is helpful..
New Topic      
Quick Reply
Explore
Post your homework questions and get free online help from our incredible volunteers
  1730 People Browsing
 197 Signed Up Today
Start New Topic Take the Tour CoursesNew Study Tools Topics Trending Browse by Textbook
Live Chat
Related Images
  
 304
  
 4366
  
 201
Your Opinion
Do you believe in global warming?
Votes: 488
Previous poll results: Does a gender wage gap exist in America?