Types of DNA

The different types of DNA are described as follows:

A-DNA

• Forms at 75% relative humidity or in high salt/ionic conditions or dehydration.
• Features 11 nucleotide pairs with a 2.56Å vertical rise per base pair.
• Has the widest helical diameter at 23Å and a right-handed helix with a 32.70-degree rotation per base pair.

B-DNA

• Most common in DNA under neutral pH and physiological salt levels.
• Contains 10 base pairs per helical turn with a 3.4Å distance and a 20Å helical diameter.
• Watson-Crick’s double helix model defines it as the B-form of DNA.

C-DNA

• Observed at 66% relative humidity or with Lithium (Li+) ions.
• Contains approximately 9.33 base pairs per turn with a 19Å diameter.
• Right-handed helix with a vertical rise of 3.320 per base pair.

D-DNA

• A rare variant with 8 base pairs tilting negatively from the helix axis.
• Exhibits an axial rise of about 3.03Å.

Z-DNA

• Found in high salt environments.
• Features a left-handed helix with a zig-zag sugar-phosphate backbone.
• Consists of dinucleotide recurring monomers, unlike other forms with mononucleotides.

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.