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DNA and RNA are genetic information carriers and are the most important molecules present in a cell. They both are responsible for the storage and reading of genetic information. DNA stands for deoxyribonucleic acid, while RNA is ribonucleic acid. Although DNA and RNA both carry genetic information, there are quite a few differences between them. DNA contains sugar deoxyribose, while RNA contains sugar ribose. DNA uses the bases adenine, thymine, cytosine, and guanine; RNA uses adenine, uracil, cytosine, and guanine.
| Table of Content |
Key Terms: DNA, RNA, DNA Structures, RNA Structure, Genome Sequencing, Types of RNA
Read More: Packaging of DNA
DNA
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Deoxyribonucleic acid, first founded by Friedrich Miescher in 1869, is a genetic molecule, containing genetic information used for the development and functioning of all living organisms. The human genome has about 3 billion DNA base pairs arranged in 46 chromosomes.
DNA
The information carried by DNA is held by genes. DNA is made from repeating units called nucleotides and is in the formation of a long polymer chain. These nucleotides are characterized by a single letter called nucleic acid. DNA is of three types:
- A-DNA: It is a right-handed double helix similar to the B-DNA form.
- B-DNA: keeps the DNA strands organized into a right-handed helix.
- Z-DNA: a left-handed DNA where the double helix winds to the left in a zig-zag pattern.
Also Read: Reproductive Health
RNA
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RNA was first discovered by Friedrich Miescher but Leslie Orgel is considered the father of RNA. Ribonucleic acid is a single-stranded substance. RNA is also made of nucleotides. It plays an essential role in the coding, regulation, decoding, and expression of genes. One of the important functions of RNA is to convert the information stored in DNA into proteins. RNA is made of adenine (A), cytosine (C), guanine (G), and uracil (U).
RNA
- Messenger RNA-mRNA: carries the genetic information from DNA in the form of three base code words.
- Transfer RNA-tRNA: Deciphers the codewords carried from mRNA.
- Ribosomal RNA-rRNA: catalyzes the assembly of amino acids into protein chains.
Also Read: Recombinant DNA Technology
Difference Between DNA and RNA
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DNA is a double-stranded molecule that has a long chain of nucleotides. RNA is a single-stranded molecule and has a shorter chain of nucleotides. DNA replicates on its own, it is self-replicating; whereas, RNA does not replicate on its own.
| Character | DNA | RNA |
|---|---|---|
| Full form | Deoxyribonucleic Acid | Ribonucleic Acid |
| Location | Found in the nucleus, and mitochondria. | found in the nucleolus |
| Structure | Double Helix | RNA is single-stranded. |
| Helix Geometry | β-form. | α-form. |
| Nucleotides | contains one of four nitrogenous bases, abbreviated A (adenine), G (guanine), T (thymine), or C (cytosine). | Contains uracil. |
| Chain of Nucleotides | Contains Long chain | Relatively shorter chains |
| Sugar | Consists of deoxyribose sugar. | Contains deoxyribose in its nucleotides. |
| Base Pairs |
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|
| Molecular Weight | 650 Daltons | 5.8 x 106 Daltons or 1.6 x 104 bases |
| Number | Contains the same number of DNAs in every cell. | Different numbers of RNA are present in each cell. |
| Molecule | DNA consists of a tightly associated pair of molecules. | RNA contains a single molecule. |
| Propagation | self-replicating. | synthesized from DNA as and when required. |
| Major enzyme involved in the propagation | DNA polymerase | RNA polymerase |
| Need of Primer | Primer is essential to initiate replication. | No primer is needed for RNA. |
| Polymer length | DNA is a longer polymer than RNA. | RNA is much smaller the DNA in terms of Polymer length. |
| Leaving Nucleus | DNA doesn’t leave the nucleus. | RNA leaves the nucleus (mRNA). |
| Destruction and re-use | DNA is protected by the body i.e.; the body destroys enzymes that cleave DNA. | strands of RNA are made continuously, broken, and reused. |
| Hydrolyzing enzyme | DNase | RNase |
| Function |
|
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| Versatility and Usefulness | Can hold complex information for longer durations. | RNA performs numerous and diverse tasks inside an organism. |
| Stability | DNA is stable due to the presence of deoxyribose sugar. It is also stable under alkaline conditions. | RNA is more reactive than DNA because of the presence of ribose sugar. It is unstable under alkaline conditions. |
| Ultraviolet (UV) Sensitivity | DNA can be damaged by ultraviolet light. | UV light cannot damage RNA. |
| Mutation Rate | DNA’s mutation rate is lower. | RNA’s mutation rate is higher. |
| Rate of Renaturation After Melting | Slow | Fast |
| Types |
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Also Read:
| Related Articles | ||
|---|---|---|
| Biosafety issues | Breathing in other animals | Carnivores herbivores |
| Enzymes | Rancidity | Sucrose |
| Transportation in Plants | Excretion | Excretion in Plants |
Previous Year Questions
- The successive nucleotides of RNA are covalently linked through… [JIPMER 2001]
- Specific redioactive identification of ribosomal RNA can be achieved by… [MU OET 2013]
- Mutations in plant cells can be induced by… [NEET 2021]
- If the total amount of adenine and thymine in a double-stranded… [MET 2010]
- Complete the flow chart on central dogma… [NEET 2021]
- If Adenine makes 30% of the DNA molecule, what will be… [NEET 2021]
- Purines found both in DNA and RNA are… [NEET 2019]
- The length of one turn of the helix in a… [NEET 2006]
- The codons UUU and UUC codes for phenylalanine only… [KCET 2016]
- Read the statements regarding structure of polynucleotide chain and… [KEAM]
Things to Remember
- DNA-Deoxyribonucleic acid.
- RNA- Ribonucleic acid.
- Founder of DNA is Friedrich Miescher.
- RNA was first discovered by Friedrich Miescher but Leslie Orgel is considered the father of RNA.
- DNA is Double Helix and RNA is single-stranded.
- Only 3% of genes are your DNA.
- The genome of humans contains 3 billion base pairs of DNA.
Sample Questions
Ques: What is DNA? (2 Marks)
Ans: Deoxyribonucleic acid or DNA is a genetic molecule, containing genetic information used for the development and functioning of all living organisms.
Ques: Describe RNA? (2 Marks)
Ans: Ribonucleic acid or RNA is a single-stranded substance.it is made of nucleotides. It plays an essential role in the coding, regulation, decoding, and expression of genes.
Ques: DNA was discovered by whom? (2 Marks)
Ans: DNA was first founded by Friedrich Miescher in 1869.
Ques: A nucleotide consists of what components? (2 Marks)
Ans: A nucleotide consists of a sugar, a phosphate group and a base of nitrogen.
Ques: In a human body how many strands of DNA are there? (2 Marks)
Ans: There are two strands of DNA present in a human body.
Ques: Name one component that replaces thymine from DNA in RNA. (2 Marks)
Ans: Uracil replaces thymine from DNA in RNA.
Ques: In RNA Adenine is paired with what? (2 Marks)
Ans: Cylosine is paired with Adenine in RNA.
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