So, I understand RNA uses DNA as a template to later code for amino acids, and these AA form polypeptide chains, etc. But- is RNA all there is to following and carrying out DNA’s instructions? The analogy I was taught is that DNA is a sort of protected master copy.
In other words, can every unit of matter that we are, essentially, without environmental factors, be created through the AAs RNA produces? This would also include any AA that coded for something that could produce something else essential down the line. I’ll give an example I keep thinking of- so humans have the character of hair. Our DNA would normally* code for that (sorry bald ppl). So in the case of hair, would RNA then create a polypeptide that would result in hair follicles, growth, keratin production, etc?
I’m not sure if this made sense, but, yeah, help!
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In: Biology
If you’re asking if RNA can be used by itself and bypass DNA, the answer is yes! Although it’s generally not desirable.
There are tons of viruses that don’t use DNA at all, only RNA.
Even more relevant is the [RNA world hypothesis.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RNA_world) This is a theory that the earliest forms of life used RNA, before DNA had even evolved into existence.
Generally, though, RNA is much less stable than DNA, so it runs the risk of corrupting or losing information much faster than DNA, which is likely why evolution settled on the double-stranded variant for long-term storage.
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