Difference Between DNA and RNA

The difference between DNA and RNA are as follows:

Characteristics

DNA

RNA

Abbreviation (DNA) Deoxyribonucleic acid (RNA) Ribonucleic acid
Sugar Deoxyribose sugar (2’OH) Ribose sugar
Bases Adenine, Thymine, Guanine, Cytosine Adenine, Uracil, Guanine, Cytosine
Structure Double-stranded Usually single-stranded
Location Mostly in the nucleus and mitochondria of the cell. Found in the nucleus, ribosome, and cytoplasm
Stability More stable and less prone to change Less stable and more prone to change
Length Longer and can be up to millions of base pairs Shorter and typically several hundred to a few thousand nucleotides long
Types There is only one type of DNA RNA comes in a variety of forms, such as messenger RNA (mRNA), transfer RNA (tRNA), and ribosomal RNA (rRNA)

Function

Stores genetic information

Acts as a template for protein synthesis

Role in protein synthesis

DNA provides the genetic code, which is transcribed into mRNA

RNA serves as the template for protein synthesis (mRNA) and carries out protein synthesis (tRNA and rRNA)

Examples

Found in chromosome.

Present in various types like mRNA, tRNA, and rRNA

DNA vs RNA

DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid) and RNA (Ribonucleic acid) are two types of nucleic acids present in the cell that stores and transfer the genetic information.

Difference Between DNA and RNA

The difference Between DNA and RNA lies in their structure, function, and location within cells, with DNA typically double-stranded, storing genetic information in the nucleus, while RNA is generally single-stranded, involved in protein synthesis, and present in various cellular compartments. DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid) and RNA (Ribonucleic acid) differ in structure, function, and location. DNA is double-stranded, stores genetic information, and resides in the nucleus. RNA is single-stranded, involved in protein synthesis, and found in the nucleus, cytoplasm, and ribosomes. RNA contains ribose sugar while DNA contains deoxyribose.

DNA and RNA are both nucleic acids, differing in structure and function. DNA is double-stranded that contains deoxyribose sugar that stores genetic information while RNA is single-stranded that has ribose sugar and participates in protein synthesis and gene regulation. These distinctions define their roles in cellular processes. In this article, we will learn about the difference between DNA and RNA, their function, and structure.

Table of Content

  • Difference Between DNA and RNA
  • What is DNA?
  • Structure of DNA
  • Types of DNA
  • What is RNA?
  • Types of RNA
  • Role of Protein

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