- Amino acids are more chemically reactive compared the the bases on RNA – more chemical reactivity 
- RNA still is needed in synthesizing proteins 
- Ribosomes are predominantly RNA


Why did proteins replace RNA? 

- DNA is more stable than RNA 
- Because of the structural difference of the ribose sugar backbone, RNA is more likely to be degraded due to the extra hydroxyl group. 


Why did DNA become dominant molecule in heredity? 

- Because of its catalytic activity, it has been hypothesized that RNA evolutionarily was carrying out early life activities before DNA. 
How is this possible? 
- Nucleic acids can synthesize themselves, and coenzymes in other biosynthesis processes are made of RNA nucleotides. i.e. ATP and NAD+
- It is likely that the RNA were original biological catalysts in precellular times in an RNA world. 
- RNA also carries genetic information in viruses
- RNA is used in all domains of life (Eukarya, Eubacteria, and Archaea)  


Grand Valley State University

- At least nine naturally occurring catalytic RNAs are known, one of which are ribozymes. 
- Frequently participate in RNA metabolism/processing. 
- rRNA catalyzes the peptide bonds in the production of proteins. 


Ribozymes

Voet, D., Voet, J. G., & Pratt, C. W. (2013). Chapter 26: Transcription and RNA Processing. In Fundamentals of biochemistry: Life at the molecular level (4th ed., pp. 919-957). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley. Retrieved April 4, 2021, from archive.org.

Fundamental of biochemistry: Life of the molecular level 4th edition: Chapter 26

Voet, D., Voet, J. G., & Pratt, C. W. (2013). Chapter 24: Nucleic Acid Structure. In Fundamentals of biochemistry: Life at the molecular level (4th ed., pp. 821-861). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley. Retrieved April 4, 2021, from archive.org.

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