RNA is labile in a water solution because the phosphate groups can form phosphodiester bonds with both the 2' and 3' –OH groups of ribose.

Why is RNA labile and easily degradable?

The RNA has a free 2' hydroxyl group which makes it more labile and easily degradable. DNA does not have any such free groups present due to which it is more stable. ... DNA has thymine (5'-Methyl uracil) in place of uracil which provides it the additional stability.

Why is RNA labile?

RNA is made up of ribose units, which have a highly reactive hydroxyl group on C2 that takes part in RNA-mediated enzymatic events. This makes RNA more chemically labile than DNA. RNA is also more prone to heat degradation than DNA.