Name : Azcona, Clerigo, Gabule Date Performed: December 9, 2020

Section : 161 Score:___________

Group Number : 1 Percentage: ______%
Activity No. 11
HDYROLYSIS OF NUCLEIC ACIDS

OBJECTIVE

 To be able to perform qualitative tests to determine the nature of RNA

(Ribonucleic Acid) when hydrolyzed and unhydrolyzed.
 To differentiate the qualitative results of hydrolyzed and unhydrolyzed nucleic
acids after conducting series of tests.

DATA/OBSERVATION

Complete the table below with the results/colors obtained: (8 pts)

Unhydrolyzed RNA Hydrolyzed RNA
Tests performed
Color (+) or ( - ) Color (+) or ( - )

1. Benedict’s
Aqua blue absent (-) Orange present (+)
2. Orcinol
Yellow absent (-) Green present (+)
3. Purine bases Clear absent (-) Brown present (+)

4. Inorganic phosphate
Clear white absent (-) Light yellow present (+)
*
(+) = present (-)= absent
QUESTIONS

1. Based on the results obtained give the differences between the hydrolyzed and
unhydrolyzed RNA. (4 pts)
Based on the results from all the tests conducted, the hydrolyzed RNA showed
evidence of color change during the process of heating in the boiling water
bath while the unhydrolyzed RNA showed no changes in color during the
process of heating in the boiling water.
2. Can a strong alkali such as NaOH be used to bring about the hydrolysis of RNA?
_______ (1 pt) If YES, what are the products of hydrolysis and give the structure.
(4 pts)

YES. The product formed is 2’-3’ cyclic monophosphate derivative and it is

further hydrolyzed to 2’ and 3’ monophosphate nucleotides. .
3. DNA is another nucleic acid, can this be hydrolyzed by an acid? ______ (1 pt) If YES,
what are the products obtained? (4 pts)

YES. It results in a derivative called apurinic acid.