A primitive eukaryote was discovered that displayed a unique nucleic acid as its

Question

A primitive eukaryote was discovered that displayed a unique nucleic acid as its genetic material. Analysis provided the following information:
1- The genneral X-ray diffraction pattern is similar to that of DNA, but with somewhat different dimensions and more irregularity.

2- A major hyperchromic shift is evident upon heating and monitoring UV absorption at 260mm.

3- Base- composition analysis reveals fours bases in the following proportions:
Adenine 8%
Guanine 37%
Xanthine 37%
Hypoxanthine 18%

4- About 75% of the sugars are deoxyribose, while 25% are ribose.

Postulate a model for the structure of this molecule that is consistent with the observations.

Explanation / Answer

It is an RNA-DNA hybrid without thymine, uracil and cytidine, and with xanthine and hypoxanthine instead, and not fully a double helix throughout its entire length.

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