Which type of nucleic acid is stable under alkaline conditions?

DNA is the type of nucleic acid that is stable under alkaline conditions. This stability can be attributed to its double-stranded structure, which provides a protective environment for the genetic material. In alkaline conditions, the deoxyribose sugar and the phosphodiester bonds are more resistant to hydrolysis compared to RNA, which is single-stranded and has a ribose sugar. The presence of the additional hydroxyl (-OH) group in RNA makes it more susceptible to hydrolysis in alkaline environments, leading to its degradation. This fundamental difference in structure and composition highlights why DNA maintains its integrity better than RNA under such conditions.