Interesting Science Videos
Differences between DNA and RNA (DNA vs RNA)
Some of the differences are:
S.N. |
Character |
DNA |
RNA |
1. | Full form | Deoxyribonucleic Acid | Ribonucleic Acid |
2. | Location | DNA is found in the nucleus, with a small amount of DNA also present in mitochondria. | RNA forms in the nucleolus, and then moves to specialized regions of the cytoplasm depending on the type of RNA formed. |
3. | Structure | Long, ladder-like macromolecule that twists to form a double helix. | In contrast to the double helix structure of DNA, RNA is generally single stranded. |
4. | Helix Geometry | The helix geometry of DNA is of β-form. | The helix geometry of RNA is of α-form. |
5. | Nucleotides | Each DNA nucleotide contains one of four nitrogenous bases, abbreviated A (adenine), G (guanine), T (thymine), or C (cytosine). | Contains the nitrogenous base uracil in place of thymine. |
6. | Chain of Nucleotides | Long chain of nucleotides | Relatively short chains |
7. | Sugar | DNA contains deoxyribose sugar. | Contains a different sugar (ribose rather than deoxyribose) in its nucleotides. |
8. | Base Pairs | Adenine and Thymine pair (A-T)
Cytosine and Guanine pair (C-G) |
Adenine and Uracil pair (A-U)
Cytosine and Guanine pair (C-G) |
9. | Ratio of Bases | In case of DNA: • Adenine = Thymine • Guanine = Cytosine |
In case of RNA: • Adenine ≠ Thymine • Guanine ≠ Cytosine |
10. | Molecular Weight | 2 to 6 million | 25,000 to 2 million |
11. | Number | For a particular species, the DNA number remains constant for every cell. | The number of RNA may differ from cell to cell. |
12. | Molecule | DNA does not usually exist as a single molecule, but instead as a tightly-associated pair of molecules. | RNA may exist as a single molecule. |
13. | Propagation | DNA is self-replicating. | RNA is synthesized from DNA on an as-needed basis. |
14. | Major enzyme involved in propagation | DNA polymerase | RNA polymerase |
15. | Need of Primer | Primer necessary to initiate replication. | No primer is needed for RNA. |
16. | Proof-reading activity | Present. | Absent since RNA polymerase lacks the ability to detect errors of base pairing. |
17. | Polymer length | DNA is a much longer polymer than RNA. A chromosome, for example, is a single, long DNA molecule, which would be several centimetres in length when unravelled. | RNA molecules are variable in length, but much shorter than long DNA polymers. A large RNA molecule might only be a few thousand base pairs long. |
18. | Leaving Nucleus | DNA can’t leave the nucleus. | RNA leaves the nucleus (mRNA). |
19. | Complementary forms | Complementary forms are mostly between two DNA strands. | RNA strand can form complementary structures with strands of either DNA or RNA. |
20. | Destruction and re-use | DNA is completely protected by the body i.e. the body destroys enzymes that cleave DNA. | RNA strands are continually made, broken down and reused. |
21. | Hydrolyzing enzyme | DNase | RNase |
22. | Function | • Storing genetic information • Directs protein synthesis • Determines genetic coding • Directly responsible for metabolic activities, evolution, heredity, and differentiation. |
• Transferring genetic information from the DNA to proteins • Carrying it outside the nucleus • Translating it to proteins |
23. | Role as Genetic Material | In all organisms other than certain viruses | Very rarely (in some viruses) |
24. | Versatility and Usefulness | More stable and holds more complex information for longer periods of time. | RNA is more versatile than DNA, capable of performing numerous, diverse tasks in an organism. |
25. | Stability | Due to its deoxyribose sugar, which contains one less oxygen-containing hydroxyl group, DNA is a more stable molecule than RNA. DNA is stable under alkaline conditions. | RNA, containing a ribose sugar, is more reactive than DNA and is not stable in alkaline conditions. RNA’s larger helical grooves mean it is more easily subject to attack by enzymes. |
26. | Ultraviolet (UV) Sensitivity | DNA is vulnerable to damage by ultraviolet light. | RNA is more resistant to damage from UV light than DNA. |
27. | Mutation Rate | DNA’s mutation rate is relatively lower. | RNA’s mutation rate is relatively higher. |
28. | Unusual Bases | Never | May be present rarely |
29. | Rate of Renaturation After Melting | Relatively slower | Quick |
30. | Types | Chromosomal DNA (nuclear DNA) and Extra-chromosomal (plasmid DNA, mt- DNA, chl- DNA etc.) | Messenger RNA (mRNA) Transfer RNA (tRNA) Ribosomal RNA (rRNA)
hnRNA • snRNA • snoRNA • miRNA • siRNA |
References
- https://www.technologynetworks.com/genomics/lists/what-are-the-key-differences-between-dna-and-rna-296719
- https://www.thoughtco.com/dna-versus-rna-608191
- https://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Structural_Biochemistry/Nucleic_Acid/Difference_between_DNA_and_RNA
- https://biologywise.com/difference-between-dna-rna
DNA vs RNA Video
![YouTube video](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/JQByjprj_mA/hqdefault.jpg)
Thanks alot
does the RNA change the DNA of humans?
very well
DNA contains deoxyribose sugar.
30th types of DNA is wrong, it’s actually, Chromosomal DNA (nuclear DNA) and Extra-chromosomal(plasmid DNA, mt- DNA, chl- DNA etc.)
Thanks, it has been corrected !!!
Awesome thankyou