Difference Between DNA and RNA: February 2017

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Difference Between DNA and RNA
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Home » Science » Biology » Cell Biology » Difference Between DNA and RNA
February 17, 2017 • by Lakna • 6 min read
Main Difference – DNA vs RNA
$99 Microbial Genome
DNA and RNA are the chemical carriers of genetic
Seq Lib Prep+Seq, information in all known organisms. In most organisms, DNA
50x+ coverage (Deoxyribonucleic Acid) stores the genetic information and
transmits to the progeny. RNA (Ribonucleic Acid) is mainly
Highquality library prep and
involved in transferring the genetic code for protein synthesis.
sequencing, Fast Turnaround,
Some viruses also utilize RNA as their genetic material. DNA
Volume Discounts
is mostly found in nucleus whereas RNA is found in
seqwell.com the cytoplasm of the cell. The key difference between DNA
and RNA is that DNA consists of deoxyribose in its pentose
ring and RNA consists of ribose in its pentose ring.
This article explains,
1. What is DNA
– Structure, Characteristics, Functions
2. What is RNA
– Structure, Characteristics, Functions
3. What is the difference between DNA and RNA
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What is DNA
Deoxyribonucleic acid or DNA is the hereditary material of most of the organisms. A majority of DNA is located in
either the nucleus or nucleoid. Some may remain inside mitochondria and chloroplast as well. DNA carries the genetic 
instructions for the development, function, and reproduction of organisms.
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Sugarphosphate backbone in DNA is formed by nitrogenous bases and phosphate groups attached to the sugar
deoxyribose. CH bonds in deoxyribose sugar are less reactive. Therefore, DNA is considerably stable in alkaline
conditions. Four different nitrogenous bases can be identified in DNA: cytosine (C), guanine (G), adenine (A) and
thymine (T). The two polynucleotide strands are held together by hydrogen bonds, forming between complement
bases. Adenine (A) pairs with thymine (T) whereas cytosine (C) pairs with guanine (G). Thus, each strand is
complementary. The two polynucleotide strands are further coiled to form a doublehelix. Each strand in the double
helix run in opposite directions, making the two strands antiparallel. The asymmetric ends of the strand are identified
as 5′ and the 3′ ends. Major groove (22 Å wide) and minor groove (12 Å wide) can be found within the doublehelix.
Bform is the most common conformation of DNA within all organisms. The order which the four bases are arranged
along the backbone encodes biological information within DNA stretches called genes. DNA synthesizes an identical
copy of the original DNA, for reproduction. DNA can be easily damaged by ultraviolet light.
Figure 1: Difference Between DNA and RNA
What is RNA
Ribonucleic acid or RNA is mostly found in the cytoplasm. Some may be also found in the nucleus. Many viruses
store their genetic information in RNA genomes. RNA has a vital role in the regulation and expression of genes.
RNA is a polynucleotide composed of nucleotide monomers same as DNA. RNA has a much shorter strand compared
to DNA. Ribose is the sugar which forms the sugarphosphate backbone. Ribose is much reactive due to the hydroxyl
group at 2′ position of the pentose ring. Therefore, RNA is not stable in alkaline conditions. Due to the presence of 2′ 
OH group, RNA exists in Aform. Aform geometry

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generates a deep, narrow major groove and a shallow, wide
minor groove. The four nitrogenous bases found in RNA
are cytosine (C), guanine (G), adenine (A) and uracil (U).
Unlike DNA, RNA exists as a singlestranded molecule
most of the times but it can form doublestranded
secondary structures such as hairpin loops by
complementary base pairing; Adenine (A) pairs with uracil
(U) whereas cytosine (C) pairs with guanine (G).
Most of the functional forms of RNA exhibit tertiary Learn More
structure. The most biologically active RNA types are
messenger RNA (mRNA), transfer RNA (tRNA),
ribosomal RNA (rRNA), small nuclear RNA (snRNA) and other noncoding RNA (ncRNA). The mRNA, tRNA, and
rRNA are related to protein synthesis. The ncRNA is involved in RNA processing and gene regulation. Some RNAs
such as ribozymes are capable of catalyzing chemical reactions. Small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) play a vital role in
gene regulation by RNA interference. Transcription is the process where the RNA synthesis is occurred using the
DNA as the template. RNA polymerase is the enzyme which catalyzes the reaction. RNA is not damaged by
ultraviolet light easily.
Acronym
DNA: DNA stands for deoxyribonucleic acid.
RNA: RNA stands for ribonucleic acid.
Location
DNA: DNA is mostly found in nucleus and nucleoid.
RNA: RNA is mostly found in the cytoplasm.
Sugars and Bases
DNA: Deoxyribose is the sugar where the bases are A, T, C and G.
RNA: Ribose is the sugar where the bases are A, U, C and G.
Length
DNA: DNA is a long polymer.
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RNA: RNA is shorter than DNA.
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Base Pairing
DNA: A pairs with T and C pairs with G.
RNA: A pairs with U and C pairs with G.
Structure
DNA: DNA is doublestranded and it exhibits a doublehelix structure.
RNA: RNA is usually singlestrand, sometimes it forms secondary and tertiary structures.
Preferred Conformation
DNA: DNA prefers Bform.
RNA: RNA prefers Aform.
Function
DNA: DNA carries the genetic information necessary for the development, functioning, and reproduction.
RNA: RNA is mainly involved in protein synthesis, sometimes it regulates the gene expression.
Stability
DNA: DNA is stable in alkaline conditions. The small size of the grooves reduces the action of DNase enzymes.
RNA: RNA is not stable in alkaline conditions compared to DNA. RNA exhibits much larger grooves compared to
DNA and it is more prone to degrade with RNases.
Damage by UV
DNA: DNA is more prone to damage by UV.
RNA: RNA is less prone to damage by UV.
Conclusion
RNA contains a 2′ OH group in its pentose sugar which makes the RNA more reactive than DNA. Thus, DNA is
comparatively stable than RNA due to the stability of the pentose group. RNA also exists as a singlestranded
molecule because of the 2′ OH group. Thus, RNA prefers Aform of geometry. DNA, on the contrary, lacks 2′ OH 
group in its pentose ring. Therefore, DNA usually exists as a doublestranded molecule which prefers the Bform of
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geometry. Here, Aform generates wider grooves whereas Bform generates narrow grooves in the molecule. Stability
against the degradative enzymes depends on the size of the groove. Thus, DNA is more stable than RNA against
enzyme degradation. Therefore, the main difference between DNA and RNA is in their composition of pentose rings.
Reference:
1. “DNA”. Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. 2017. Accessed 13 Feb. 2017
2. “RNA”. Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. 2017. Accessed 13 Feb. 2017
3. “What is DNA?”. Genetics Home Reference. 2017. Accessed 13 Feb. 2017
4. Mandal A. “What is RNA?”. NEWS MEDICAL LIFE SCIENCES. 2013. Accessed 13 Feb. 2017
Image Courtesy:
1. “Difference DNA RNAEN” By Difference_DNA_RNADE.svg: Sponk (talk)translation: Sponk (talk) – chemical
structures of nucleobases by Roland1952 (CC BYSA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
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About the Author: Lakna
Lakna, a graduate in Molecular Biology & Biochemistry, is a Molecular Biologist and has a
broad and keen interest in the discovery of nature related things
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