Question

What properties allow RNA molecules to act as catalysts?

Short answer

The RNA molecules can act as catalysts because they can change conformations, bind with substrates specifically, orient them, and stabilize the resulting transition stage.

Step-by-step solution

Ribonucleic acid

The molecules that are produced by the process of transcription of deoxyribonucleic acid are known as ribonucleic acids (RNA). They contain the information for the production of the protein biomolecules by the process of translation.

RNA as a catalyst

RNA molecules can act as a catalyst due to several properties, which include:

• The ability to assume different conformations.
• The ability to bind with substrates specifically.
• The ability to orient substrates for the reaction.
• The ability to stabilize the transition state.