RNA and DNA

All life is basically made up of the same building materials — DNA and RNA – at the molecular level. One major distinction between DNA and RNA is that DNA is double-stranded, whereas RNA is single-stranded. New protein molecules are created from amino acid building blocks depending on information encoded in DNA/RNA. Each protein’s shape and characteristics are determined by its amino acid sequence.

DNA

The DNA molecules carry the instructions required for a living creature to grow, develop, and reproduce. These are embedded within the contents of each individual cell and it is of utmost necessity to have these passed down from parents to children. Genes are generated by the arrangement of nitrogenous bases in DNA, which is required for protein production. RNA is another type of nucleic acid that is responsible for the conversion of genetic data and instructions from DNA into proteins. Because DNA molecules are longer in terms of magnitude, they are incapable of entering inside cells without the presence of proper packaging. And this is precisely the reason why we can find DNA to be tightly coiled. They are also responsible for the creation of chromosomes. Each chromosome contains a single DNA molecule. Human beings are characterised by 23 pairs of chromosomes, which means that the nucleus of the cells contains that number of chromosomes.

RNA

Ribonucleic acid (RNA) is a nucleic acid that plays an important role in protein production. Ribonucleic acid is a nucleotide with long strands of nucleic acid that is found in all living organisms. Its primary function is to act as a messenger, carrying instructions from DNA to govern protein synthesis. Ribose, phosphates, and the nitrogenous bases adenine (A), guanine (G), cytosine (C), and uracil are all found in RNA (U). It comprises and is made up of materials known as nucleotides that are characterised by the same nitrogenous group, a phosphate group, and a sugar group.

Differences

There is some evidence that DNA evolved first, but most scientists believe RNA evolved first. RNA has a simpler structure than DNA and is required for DNA to operate. RNA is also present in prokaryotes, which are thought to have evolved before eukaryotes. Certain chemical processes can be catalysed by RNA on its own.

There are multiple differences between DNA and RNA based on different parameters such as location, functionality and so on. A few of those are discussed below-

Site

DNA- It can be found in the nucleus of a cell as well as the mitochondria.

RNA- It may be present in the cytoplasm, nucleus, and ribosome.

Functionality

DNA- The function of DNA is the transfer of genetic information. It takes the shape of a medium for long-term storage.

RNA- The transmission of the genetic code required for protein production from the nucleus to the ribosome is accomplished by RNA.

Propagation

DNA- DNA replicates itself; it is self-replicating.

RNA- RNA does not duplicate itself. When needed, it is produced from DNA.

Structural Characteristics

DNA- Double helix in B shape. DNA is a two-stranded molecule made up of a lengthy sequence of nucleotides.

RNA-A-form helix RNA is typically a single-strand helix made up of shorter chains of nucleotides.

Reaction

DNA- Because of the C-H bonds in DNA, it is rather stable, and the body eliminates enzymes that would damage DNA. The tiny grooves in the helix also provide protection by leaving little room for enzymes to attach.

RNA- When compared to DNA, the O-H bond in RNA’s ribose makes the molecule more reactive. RNA is unstable under alkaline environments, and its big grooves render it vulnerable to enzyme assault. RNA is continually being synthesised, utilised, destroyed, and recycled.

DNA- DNA is a far longer polymer than RNA. A chromosome can be defined as a single, lengthy DNA molecule that when unravelled, will be of the magnitude of many centimetres in terms of length.

RNA- The length of RNA molecules varies, although they are significantly shorter than lengthy DNA polymers. A comparatively larger molecule of RNA can be characterised by only a few thousand base pairs in terms of its length.

Conclusion

To sum up, the difference between DNA and RNA is that comparatively DNA is longer than RNA with the ability to self replicate. RNA on the other hand is comparatively more unstable when exposed to alkaline environments. Due to their varied functionalities, they are found at different locations- DNA in the nucleus and RNA in the cytoplasm, nucleus and ribosome.