![]() ![]() mRNA is made in the nucleus, with each mRNA fragment copied from its relative piece of DNA, before leaving the nucleus and entering the cytoplasm. The three types of RNA are found in different locations. We can identify five key categories where DNA and RNA differ: What are the key differences between DNA and RNA? RNA is more resistant to damage from UV light than DNA. RNA’s larger helical grooves mean it is more easily subject to attack by enzymes.ĭNA is vulnerable to damage by ultraviolet light. RNA, containing a ribose sugar, is more reactive than DNA and is not stable in alkaline conditions. RNA forms in the nucleolus, and then moves to specialised regions of the cytoplasm depending on the type of RNA formed.ĭue to its deoxyribose sugar, which contains one less oxygen-containing hydroxyl group, DNA is a more stable molecule than RNA, which is useful for a molecule which has the task of keeping genetic information safe. RNA shares Adenine (‘A’), Guanine (‘G’) and Cytosine (‘C’) with DNA, but contains Uracil (‘U’) rather than Thymine.Īdenine and Thymine pair (A-T) Cytosine and Guanine pair (C-G)Īdenine and Uracil pair (A-U) Cytosine and Guanine pair (C-G)ĭNA is found in the nucleus, with a small amount of DNA also present in mitochondria. The bases in DNA are Adenine (‘A’), Thymine (‘T’), Guanine (‘G’) and Cytosine (‘C’). RNA contains ribose sugar molecules, without the hydroxyl modifications of deoxyribose. The sugar in DNA is deoxyribose, which contains one less hydroxyl group than RNA’s ribose. A large RNA molecule might only be a few thousand base pairs long. RNA molecules are variable in length, but much shorter than long DNA polymers. A chromosome, for example, is a single, long DNA molecule, which would be several centimetres in length when unravelled. RNA sometimes forms a secondary double helix structure, but only intermittently.ĭNA is a much longer polymer than RNA. RNA strands are shorter than DNA strands. RNA only has one strand, but like DNA, is made up of nucleotides. Each nucleotide contains a phosphate, a 5-carbon sugar molecule and a nitrogenous base. ![]() These strands are made up of subunits called nucleotides. RNA converts the genetic information contained within DNA to a format used to build proteins, and then moves it to ribosomal protein factories.ĭNA consists of two strands, arranged in a double helix. It is a blueprint for all genetic information contained within an organism. RNA – A comparison chartĭNA replicates and stores genetic information. These include the two molecules’ functions, their structure, their average length, the sugar (DNA contains deoxyribose and RNA contains ribose) and base molecules (RNA contains uracil rather than thymine) they contain, their location and their reactivity to enzymes and ultraviolet light. ![]() Learn more about DNA and the genome with Dr Alex Lathbridge.There are several differences that separate DNA from RNA. These strong bonds form a sugar-phosphate backbone. These basic units are linked together to form strands by strong covalent bonds between the deoxyribose sugar of one nucleotide and the phosphate of the next nucleotide. This means they always pair in the same way: A with T, T with A, C with G and G with C. The nucleotides are identical except for the base, which can be an adenine (A), thymine (T), guanine (G) or cytosine (C).īases are complementary. These nucleotides consist of a deoxyribose sugar, phosphate and base. The basic units (monomers) of DNA are nucleotides. A gene is the unit of heredity, and may be copied and passed on to the next generation. Each gene codes for a particular sequence of amino acids in order to make a specific protein. GenesĪ gene is a small section of DNA in a chromosome. These are long threads of DNA, which are made up of many genes. DNA can be cut up and separated, which can form a 'bar code' that is different from one person to the next. This is why people can be identified using DNA fingerprinting. Įxcept for identical twins, each person's DNA is unique. It carries the genetic code, which determines the characteristics of a living organism. DNA is a polymer - a large and complex molecule, made from many small monomers It is made up of two strands forming a twisted ladder structure called a double helix. The genetic material in the nucleus of a cell is composed of a chemical called DNA. ![]()
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