Life on earth is very diverse, from single-celled protozoans to complex multicellular plants and animals. But at the molecular level, all life is fundamentally made up of the same building blocks – DNA and RNA. One of the primary differences between DNA and RNA is that DNA is double-stranded while RNA is single-stranded. Show
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Read on to explore the DNA and RNA differences in detail. Following are the important differences between DNA and RNA: DNA and RNA Difference
DNAIn cells, DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid) is the nucleic acid that functions as the original blueprint for the synthesis of proteins. DNA contains the sugar deoxyribose, phosphates and a unique sequence of the nitrogenous bases adenine (A), guanine (G), cytosine (C) and thymine (T). Brief Insight into the Structure and Composition of DNAThe DNA molecules contain instructions a living entity requires to grow, develop and reproduce. These instructions are present inside each cell and are inherited from the parents to their offspring. It is made up of nucleotides which contain a nitrogenous group, a phosphate group, and a sugar group. The order of the nitrogenous bases – thymine(T), guanine(G), cytosine(C), and adenine(A), is crucial in determining the genetic code. Genes are formed by the order of the nitrogenous bases present in the DNA which is crucial for protein synthesis. RNA is another nucleic acid that translates genetic information into proteins from DNA. The nucleotides are linked together for the formation of two long strands which spiral to produce a structure known as the double-helix which resembles that of a ladder wherein the sugar and phosphate molecules form the sides while the rungs are formed by the bases. The bases located on one strand pair up with the bases on the other strand, as in – guanine pairs with cytosine and adenine pairs with thymine. The DNA molecules are extremely long and hence without the right packaging, they cannot fit into cells. Thus, DNA is tightly coiled to produce formations referred to as chromosomes. Every chromosome has a single DNA molecule. In humans, there are 23 pairs of chromosomes that are present within the nucleus of the cells. Main article: DNA Structure Types Of DNA
RNARibonucleic acid (RNA) is a nucleic acid which is directly involved in protein synthesis. Ribonucleic acid is an important nucleotide with long chains of nucleic acid present in all living cells. Its main role is to act as a messenger conveying instructions from DNA for controlling protein synthesis. RNA contains the sugar ribose, phosphates, and the nitrogenous bases adenine (A), guanine (G), cytosine (C), and uracil (U). DNA and RNA share the nitrogenous bases A, G, and C. Thymine is usually only present in DNA and uracil is usually only present in RNA. Types Of RNAOnly some of the genes in cells are expressed into RNA. The following are the types of RNA wherein each type is encoded by its own type of gene:
Explore More: Structure of RNA Role Of ProteinTo place these ideas in the proper context, remember that some proteins are enzymes that aid cells by catalyzing chemical reactions. These chemical reactions occur after the enzyme binds its substrate at the enzyme’s active site. The enzyme’s active site matches the substrate molecule in size, shape and chemical properties. The size, shape, and chemical properties of an enzyme’s active site are due to the combination of the enzyme’s amino acids, which are the individual subunits of the enzyme. For the cell to reliably make an enzyme, the cell must be able to control the placement of amino acids in a protein during the synthesis of enzymes. Proteins play a critical role in how cells successfully meet the challenges of living. Cells use proteins to maintain their shape and to speed up important chemical reactions such as photosynthesis and respiration. A cell will not live long if it cannot reliably create the proteins that it needs for survival. More to Read: Proteins To learn more about the difference between DNA and RNA, visit BYJU’S Biology. Further Reading
Frequently Asked QuestionsDNA and RNA are nearly identical polymers of nucleotides, except for the base pairs. DNA contains thymine while the same is substituted with uracil in RNA. DNA is located in the nucleus of a cell and in the mitochondria. Meanwhile, RNA is found in the cytoplasm, nucleus, and also in ribosomes. DNA
is capable of self-replication but RNA cannot self-replicate instead, it is synthesized from DNA (DNA transcription) when required. Three out of the four nitrogenous bases in DNA and RNA are the same (cytosine, adenine, guanine).
They both possess a phosphate backbone to which the bases attach. The deoxyribose sugar of DNA contains one less oxygen-containing hydroxyl group. DNA is a more stable nucleic acid. RNA, on the other hand, contains ribose sugar
and is more reactive than DNA. Therefore, DNA is a better genetic material than RNA. The plant hormone cytokinin helps in the synthesis of protein and RNA. It functions naturally in conjunction with auxins. In the
presence of auxins, it promotes cell division and development. It enables awakening seeds from their dormancy. Which of the following best describes the difference between DNA and RNA?Which of the following BEST explains a structural difference between DNA and RNA? DNA is usually double-stranded, with both strands parallel in directionality, whereas RNA is usually single-stranded.
Which of the following best describes a structural difference between DNA and RNA quizlet?which of the following best describes a structural difference between DNA and RNA? the backbone of DNA contains deoxyribose, where as the backbone of RNA contains ribose.
What is the difference between DNA and RNA quizlet?The three main differences between RNA and DNA is that (1) The sugar in RNA is ribose instead of deoxyribose, (2) RNA is generally single-stranded and not double-stranded , and (3) RNA contain uracil in place of thymine.
What are four differences between the structure of DNA and RNA quizlet?-DNA is double-stranded, RNA is single-stranded. - DNA contains a pentose sugar Deoxyribose, RNA contains the pentose sugar Ribose. A pentose is a 5-carbon sugar molecule. - DNA is limited to the nucleus, RNA is made in the nucleus, but can travel outside of it.
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