Compare the structure and function of the DNA and RNA

DNA stands for deoxyribonucleic acid, while is ribonucleic acid. Although DNA and RNA

both carry genetic information, there are quite a few differences between them related to their

structure and functioning.

Structural comparison of DNA and RNA

1. Base pairing is slightly different since DNA uses the bases adenine, thymine, cytosine,

and guanine; RNA uses adenine, uracil, cytosine, and guanine. Uracil differs from

thymine in that it lacks a methyl group on its ring.

2. Length of DNA is quite large consisting of millions of nucleotides while length of

RNA is short consisting of only few thousand nucleotides.

3. DNA is stable under alkaline conditions, while RNA is not stable.

4. DNA contains the sugar deoxyribose, while RNA contains the sugar ribose. The only

differences between ribose and deoxyribose is half ribose has one more-OH group than

deoxyribose, which has –H attached to the second (2’) carbon in the ring.

5. DNA is a double-stranded molecule, while RNA is a single –stranded molecule.

Functional comparison of DNA and RNA

1. DNA replicates and stores genetic information. It is a blueprint for all genetic

information contained within an organism, while RNA converts the genetic information

contained within DNA to a format used to build proteins, and then moves it to ribosomal

protein factories.

2. DNA is functional is the transmission of genetic information. It forms as a media for

long-term storage, while RNA is functional is the transmission of the genetic code that is

necessary for the protein creation from the nucleus to the ribosome.

3. DNA makes up the chromosomes, heredity units that control all cell activities; divided

into genes that carry the nucleotide codes for the manufacturer of proteins, while RNA
Manufacture proteins according to the nucleotide codes carried in the DNA; three types

messenger RNA, ribosomal RNA, and transfer RNA.