Question

Write short notes on the composition of DNA and RNA.

Answer 1

We know that DNA and RNA both are a type of nucleic acid. They are found in living organisms. They carry genetic materials with them. Let us look at what DNA and RNA are and what are their properties. There are two main types of nucleic acids DNA and RNA.

Complete answer:
DNA stands for deoxyribonucleic acid and RNA stand for ribonucleic acid. DNA is found in all living organisms and is a genetic material. RNA on the other hand is involved in protein synthesis. There are three types of RNA that are involved in protein synthesis are rRNA, tRNA and micro RNA. There is another type of RNA that is messenger RNA which acts as an intermediate messenger between DNA DNA and RNA are a long unbranched linear polymer of monomer units called nucleotides. Each nucleotide is made up of one each of a pentose sugar (Ribose), Phosphoric acid and one of the four bases of a nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compound.
Phosphoric acid in DNA /RNA: Both DNA and RNA have phosphoric acid $\left( {{H}_{3}}P{{O}_{4}} \right)$ attached to the pentose. Sugar of DNA/ RNA: In DNA the pentose is $2-deoxy\text{ }ribose$ and in RNA it is ribose.
Nitrogenous Base: These are derivatives of nitrogen-based heterocyclic organic compounds, and are of two types – a) Purine and b) pyrimidine. Both DNA and RNA contain – purine type nitrogenous bases of adenine (abbreviated A) and guanine (G) and pyrimidine type cytosine (C). Apart from that, DNA has a second pyrimidine called thymine (T), whereas RNA has a thymine analogue called uracil (U).

Note:
Remember that molecules of DNA are attached with chromosomes (thread-like structures), along with a unit of protein, they carry unique characteristics. If you unbound the entire DNA in your body, and place them end to end they will travel from earth to sun and back $500-600$ times.