1. Sugar:
* DNA: Contains deoxyribose sugar, which lacks an oxygen atom on the 2' carbon.
* RNA: Contains ribose sugar, which has an oxygen atom on the 2' carbon.
2. Bases:
* DNA: Contains the four nitrogenous bases: Adenine (A), Guanine (G), Cytosine (C), and Thymine (T).
* RNA: Contains the four nitrogenous bases: Adenine (A), Guanine (G), Cytosine (C), and Uracil (U). Thymine is replaced by Uracil in RNA.
3. Structure:
* DNA: Typically exists as a double helix, with two antiparallel strands held together by hydrogen bonds between complementary bases (A-T and G-C).
* RNA: Usually exists as a single-stranded molecule, although it can fold into complex three-dimensional structures.
4. Function:
* DNA: Stores genetic information and transmits it to daughter cells during cell division.
* RNA: Plays a role in protein synthesis. Different types of RNA include messenger RNA (mRNA), which carries genetic information from DNA to ribosomes, transfer RNA (tRNA), which carries amino acids to ribosomes, and ribosomal RNA (rRNA), which forms part of the ribosome structure.
5. Stability:
* DNA: More stable than RNA due to the absence of the 2' hydroxyl group in deoxyribose. This makes DNA less susceptible to hydrolysis.
* RNA: Less stable than DNA due to the presence of the 2' hydroxyl group in ribose, which makes it more susceptible to hydrolysis.
Here's a table summarizing the differences:
| Feature | DNA | RNA |
|---|---|---|
| Sugar | Deoxyribose | Ribose |
| Bases | Adenine, Guanine, Cytosine, Thymine | Adenine, Guanine, Cytosine, Uracil |
| Structure | Double helix | Single strand (can fold into complex structures) |
| Function | Stores genetic information | Involved in protein synthesis |
| Stability | More stable | Less stable |
