Question

To distinguish the conserved secondary structure among multiple related RNA sequences, a concept of “covariation” is used.

(a) True

(b) False

The question was posed to me in an interview for job.

The doubt is from Comparative Approach in division RNA Structure Prediction of Bioinformatics

Answer 1

Correct option is (a) True

The explanation is: It is known that RNA functional motifs are structurally conserved. To maintain the secondary structures while the homologous sequences evolve, a mutation occurring in one position that is responsible for base pairing should be compensated for by a mutation in the corresponding base-pairing position so to maintain base pairing and the stability of the secondary structure.