Question

List the main differences between DNA and RNA?

Answer 1

DNA and RNA is the genetic material of all organisms. Both are nucleic acids. In advanced or higher organisms, DNA is transcribed into RNA for the synthesis of proteins. RNA can be converted into DNA by the process of reverse transcription.

Complete answer: Differences between DNA and RNA is as below:

DNA	RNA
DNA is found in the nucleus or nucleoid.	Majority RNA is found in the cytoplasm.
Full form of DNA is deoxyribonucleic acid.	Full form of RNA is ribonucleic acid.
Deoxyribose is pentose sugar lacking oxygen in the 3rd carbon atom.	Ribose is pentose sugar having hydroxyl (OH) group at 3rd carbon atom.
DNA consists of adenine (A), cytosine (C), guanine (G), thymine (T), these are nitrogen bases.	RNA consists of adenine (A), cytosine (C), guanine (G), uracil (U), these are nitrogen bases.
DNA is a long polymer.	RNA is shorter than DNA.
Adenine always pairs with thymine with two hydrogen bonds while cytosine pairs with guanine with three hydrogen bonds.	Adenine always pairs with uracil with two hydrogen bonds while cytosine pairs with guanine with three hydrogen bonds.
DNA is a double-stranded structure having antiparallel strands and exhibits a double-helix structure.	RNA is single-stranded and often it forms the secondary and tertiary structure.
DNA is of various types like A-form, B-form, and Z-form.	RNA is of various types such as mRNA (messenger RNA), rRNA (ribosomal RNA), tRNA (Transfer RNA).
DNA is more susceptible or prone to UV damage.	RNA is less prone to UV damage.

Note: The key point which makes DNA different from RNA is DNA has deoxyribose sugar while RNA has ribose sugar. RNA works as the genetic material for many viruses and plays a very important role in the expression and regulation of the gene.