* RNA has ribose sugar.
* DNA has deoxyribose sugar.
The only difference between ribose and deoxyribose is that ribose has an extra hydroxyl (-OH) group on the 2' carbon, while deoxyribose has only a hydrogen atom (-H) at that position. This difference gives RNA its name: ribonucleic acid.
This small difference in structure has important implications for the function of RNA and DNA:
* RNA is more reactive and less stable than DNA: The extra hydroxyl group in ribose makes RNA more prone to hydrolysis (breaking down in water). This is one reason why RNA is typically single-stranded, while DNA is double-stranded.
* RNA can fold into complex shapes: The extra hydroxyl group in ribose allows RNA to fold into complex three-dimensional structures. This ability to fold is essential for RNA's diverse roles in the cell, including its ability to act as a messenger, a catalyst, and a structural component.
So, in summary: RNA contains ribose sugar, while DNA contains deoxyribose sugar. This difference in sugar molecule is the key structural difference between the two molecules and contributes to their different functions.
