1. The sugar: RNA uses ribose as its sugar, while DNA uses deoxyribose. The difference is that ribose has a hydroxyl group (-OH) on the 2' carbon, while deoxyribose has just a hydrogen atom (-H) at that position.
2. The nitrogenous bases: Both RNA and DNA use adenine (A), guanine (G), and cytosine (C). However, RNA uses uracil (U) instead of thymine (T) found in DNA.
Here's a table summarizing the differences:
| Molecule | Sugar | Nitrogenous Bases |
|---|---|---|
| RNA | Ribose | Adenine (A), Guanine (G), Cytosine (C), Uracil (U) |
| DNA | Deoxyribose | Adenine (A), Guanine (G), Cytosine (C), Thymine (T) |
These structural differences contribute to the different roles RNA and DNA play in the cell:
* RNA is involved in protein synthesis and gene regulation, and its single-stranded structure allows for more flexible shapes and interactions.
* DNA stores genetic information and is a more stable double-stranded helix that can be replicated accurately.
Additionally, RNA can sometimes contain modified bases like pseudouridine, dihydrouracil, and inosine, which are not typically found in DNA. These modifications can affect the structure and function of RNA.
