The total number of correct statements, regarding the nucleic acids is _________.
A. RNA is regarded as the reserve of genetic information
B. DNA molecule self-duplicates during cell division
C. DNA synthesizes proteins in the cell
D. The message for the synthesis of particular proteins is present in DNA
E. Identical DNA strands are transferred to daughter cells.

Solution

Chemistry ma’am · 3 steps

Remember the division of labour: DNA stores and copies the message, RNA builds the protein.

1. Two roles. DNA is the reserve of genetic information. It copies itself during cell division and holds the message for each protein. RNA molecules carry out the actual protein synthesis in the cell.

   Statement	What it claims	Correct?
   A	RNA is the reserve of genetic information	No, DNA is the reserve
   B	DNA self-duplicates during cell division	Yes
   C	DNA synthesizes proteins	No, proteins are made by RNA molecules
   D	The message for a particular protein is in DNA	Yes
   E	Identical DNA strands pass to daughter cells	Yes

2. Spot the swap. A and C are wrong because they swap the jobs of DNA and RNA. DNA carries the instructions, but it does not make the protein itself.
3. So. B, D and E are correct, so the count is 3.

The common slip: 4. Counting C as correct, because the protein message lies in DNA, gives 4. DNA holds the message, but RNA makes the protein.

The idea to keep. DNA is the library: it stores the message and copies itself for daughter cells. RNA is the workshop where the protein is actually made. Watch for statements that swap these roles.

Answer from the NTA final answer key. Solution by PrepWiser.