DNA and RNA are molecules that hold the genetic information for each cell. Although both DNA and RNA are alike in many ways, they also have their differences. They are similar because they both have polymers of nucleotides. Both DNA and RNA contain sugars and base pairs. DNA is linked to a phosphate at one end and a nitrogen base at the other just like RNA. DNA and RNA are both found in the nucleus, but RNA can also be found in the cytoplasm. DNA and RNA are different because in RNA one of the nitrogen bases is switched out. Instead of having the base (T) Thymine, RNA has the base (U), which is also known as uracil. Even their shapes are different; DNA has a double helix while RNA is just one stranded. While DNA holds the genetic information, RNA is the copy of the DNA that is transferred from the nucleus to the ribosome for making proteins. The sugar present is also different. DNA is made of deoxyribose sugar, and RNA is made out of ribose sugar. DNA has the bases adenine, thymine, guanine, and cytosine, while RNA has the bases adenine, uracil, guanine and cytosine. While RNA has short chain of nucleotides, DNA has long chain of nucleotides. Despite their similarities and differences, DNA and RNA both play a very important role in determining genetic information.
-By Kharishma Patel, Deepthy Varghese, Jeswina John, and Miranda Juergens
8th period, Medical Microbiology, Rickard
