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Genetics and Evolution NEET 2025: RNA World MCQ Answer

NEET 2025 Biology Genetics and Evolution RNA World and Genetic Material

By Founder, JEEnius - IIT Kanpur Alumni · Aug 9, 2026 · 4 min read

Hard 1 min target

Given below are two statements. Statement I: RNA was the first genetic material evolved to carry out essential life processes. Statement II: DNA is a more stable genetic material because its double helical strands are complementary and resist changes through repair mechanisms. Choose the appropriate answer from the options given below.

Show answerAnswer

A) Both Statement I and Statement II are correct

Explanation

There is strong evidence for the RNA world hypothesis, which suggests that essential life processes evolved around RNA. RNA could act both as genetic material and as a catalyst in some biochemical reactions. DNA later became the preferred genetic material because it is chemically more stable, has complementary double strands, and allows repair mechanisms. Therefore both statements are correct.

Biology artwork for the article: Genetics and Evolution NEET 2025: RNA World MCQ Answer

What is the Genetics and Evolution NEET 2025 RNA World answer?

The Genetics and Evolution NEET 2025 RNA World MCQ has Option A as the correct answer: both statements are true. NEET 2025 was held on 4 May 2025. The question belongs to Genetics and Evolution, specifically RNA World and Genetic Material. It is a statement-based MCQ tagged hard, with an expected solving time of 60 seconds.

You must judge these two claims independently:

  • Statement I, paraphrased: Early life is proposed to have used RNA for heredity and essential biochemical functions.
  • Statement II, paraphrased: DNA later became a more stable hereditary material because complementary strands support accurate maintenance and repair.
An evolutionary process flow from “early RNA” branching to “info” and “catalysis,” then an arrow to “later DNA” branching to “stable” and “repair”

The four answer combinations were:

What evolved first is not necessarily what later became the more suitable genetic material.

How should you test each statement separately?

Test Statement I through the RNA World hypothesis. Then assess Statement II through DNA stability, complementarity and repair. Do not use either statement to prejudge the other. The official reasoning for this Genetics and Evolution NEET 2025 question supports both statements, so the answer is Option A.

  1. Identify Statement I as a direct application of the RNA World hypothesis.

This hypothesis proposes that essential early-life processes evolved around RNA.

  1. Check what RNA could do.

RNA can store genetic information and catalyse certain biochemical reactions.

  1. Decide Statement I.

RNA combined information storage with catalytic activity. Essential early-life processes could therefore have evolved around RNA. Statement I is correct.

  1. Evaluate Statement II independently.

DNA’s later advantage does not contradict the earlier RNA World. Statement II explains why DNA became more suitable for dependable heredity.

  1. Check DNA’s chemical stability.

DNA is chemically more stable than RNA, making it better suited to storing genetic information over long periods.

  1. Check complementarity and repair.

The two DNA strands are complementary. If one strand is damaged or altered, the other can provide a reference or template that supports repair mechanisms.

  1. Decide Statement II.

Greater chemical stability, complementary strands and repair support make DNA a more stable genetic material. Statement II is correct.

  1. Match the truth combination.

Both statements are correct, which matches Option A.

Correct answer: Option A, both Statement I and Statement II are correct.

How can you solve this RNA World MCQ in 60 seconds?

Use a two-column mental check: RNA explains early versatility, while DNA explains later stability. RNA had the dual advantage of carrying information and performing catalytic functions. DNA became the preferred long-term genetic material because of greater chemical stability, complementary strands and repair. The statements describe different stages of molecular evolution, so they do not conflict.

Use these two mental columns:

  • RNA column: Early genetic system, information storage and catalytic activity.
  • DNA column: Later preference, greater chemical stability, complementary strands and repair.

Use the 60 seconds as follows:

  • Read and separate the statements: 10 seconds.
  • Test Statement I using RNA World: 20 seconds.
  • Test Statement II using DNA stability: 20 seconds.
  • Match the option: 10 seconds.
A proportional 60 s horizontal time bar divided into four segments labelled “Read 10 s,” “RNA 20 s,” “DNA 20 s,” and “Match 10 s”

10+20+20+10=60 seconds Judge each statement before comparing RNA and DNA. The rapid chain is:

RNA World true+DNA stability true=Option A

Why does the method behind Option D fail?

Option D results from assuming that the most stable genetic material today must also have been the first genetic material. Greater stability explains why DNA was later preferred. It does not disprove the earlier RNA World. Evolutionary priority and present-day suitability are different questions.

The faulty comparison runs as follows:

  • Correct fact: DNA is more stable than RNA.
  • Faulty inference: DNA must therefore have been the first genetic material.
  • Why it fails: Stability explains why DNA became preferred later, not which molecular system functioned earlier.
  • Correct distinction: RNA offered heredity and catalysis. DNA later offered more stable information storage and repair.

Statement I concerns what is proposed to have evolved first. Statement II concerns what later became more suitable for long-term heredity. Both can be correct at the same time.

Which related Genetics and Evolution questions should you practise?

Practise these three questions to test the same ideas used in the Genetics and Evolution NEET 2025 MCQ: RNA’s dual role, DNA repair through complementarity and the correct evolutionary order.

Which property allowed RNA to function as hereditary material and participate in biochemical reactions?

Answer: RNA could store genetic information and also show catalytic activity.

Explanation: These two roles support the idea that essential early biochemical processes could evolve around RNA.

Why do complementary DNA strands improve genetic stability?

Answer: One strand can provide the reference needed to repair the other strand.

Explanation: Complementarity supports accurate maintenance and repair, making DNA dependable for long-term hereditary storage.

What is the correct evolutionary order of RNA and DNA?

Answer:

RNA-basedgeneticsystemDNA as the preferred stable genetic material

Explanation: RNA is proposed as the earlier versatile system. DNA was preferred later because it is more stable and supports repair.

For the next RNA-DNA statement pair, use two cues: RNA means early versatility; DNA means later stability. Test each statement independently before checking the option combinations.

Next step: the past-paper archive on NEET JEEnius AI and search past NEET papers by year, subject or chapter, each with a worked solution (100 free searches a month).

Frequently asked questions

What is the correct answer to the NEET 2025 RNA World question?

Option A is correct: both Statement I and Statement II are true. RNA is proposed as an early hereditary and catalytic molecule, while DNA later became better suited to stable genetic storage.

Why is RNA considered the first genetic material?

The RNA World hypothesis proposes that RNA preceded DNA as genetic material. RNA can both store genetic information and catalyse certain biochemical reactions.

Why is DNA more stable than RNA as genetic material?

DNA is chemically more stable and therefore better suited to long-term information storage. Its complementary strands also provide references that support accurate maintenance and repair.

Why is Option D wrong in the RNA World MCQ?

Option D incorrectly treats DNA’s greater stability as proof that DNA evolved before RNA. DNA’s later suitability does not contradict the proposal that RNA served as the earlier hereditary and catalytic system.

evolutiongenetic materialgeneticsneet 2025rna world

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