Structure and Functions of DNA and RNA

Download as docx, pdf, or txt
Download as docx, pdf, or txt
You are on page 1of 3

STRUCTURE AND FUNCTIONS OF DNA AND RNA

DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) is the genomic material in cells that contains


the genetic information used in the development and functioning of all
known living organisms. Most of the DNA is located in the nucleus,
although a small amount can be found in mitochondria (mitochondrial
DNA).
RNA, is another macromolecule essential for all known forms of life. Like
DNA, RNA is made up of nucleotides. Once thought to play ancillary roles,
RNAs are now understood to be among a cell’s key regulatory players
where they catalyze biological reactions, control and modulate gene
expression, sensing and communicating responses to cellular signals, etc.
Structure of DNA
DNA is a macromolecule made up of two antiparallel strands of bonded
deoxyribonucleotides. A deoxyribonucleotide consists of a phosphate
group, 5-carbon deoxyribose sugar, and one of DNA's four nitrogenous
bases: thymine, cytosine, guanine, or adenine.
When looking at DNA, you can see that it looks kind of like a spiral
staircase. This structure is called a "double helix". It occurs when the bases
in two strands bond to each other in opposite directions. The
complementary base pairs in DNA require that adenine pairs with thymine
(or A pairs with T) and guanine pairs with cytosine (or G pairs with C).
Structure of RNA
RNA is a single-stranded molecule that consists of bonded ribonucleotides.
Similar to the nucleotides found in DNA, ribonucleotides consist of
a phosphate group, a 5-carbon ribose sugar and one of RNA's
four nitrogenous bases: uracil in place thymine, cytosine, guanine, or
adenine.
Function
The primary function of DNA is to provide genetic information for living
organisms. This genetic material codes for different amino acids that get
strung together to make proteins. DNA is passed down from the parent
organisms to their offspring. RNA mainly helps in the expression of the
genes that DNA encodes by allowing the DNA to be interpreted and code
for various proteins. Its main purpose involves the transcription and
translation of DNA into the proteins necessary for survival.
The figure below illustrates the difference between DNA and RNA structure

The table below shows the comparison of DNA and RNA

S/N Comparison DNA RNA

1 Full Form Deoxyribonucleic acid Ribonucleic acid

DNA is found in the RNA forms in the


nucleus, with a nucleolus, and then
small amount of moves to
2 Location DNA also present in specialized regions
mitochondria. of the cytoplasm
depending on the
type of RNA formed.
3 Structures Long, ladder-like In contrast to the
macromolecule double helix
that twists to form structure of DNA,
a double helix RNA is generally
single stranded.
 Storing  Transferring
genetic genetic
information information
 Directs from the DNA
protein to proteins
synthesis
 Determines  Carrying it
4 Functions genetic coding outside the
 Directly nucleus
responsible  Translating it
for metabolic to proteins
activities,
evolution,
heredity, and
differentiation.
Adenine and Adenine and Uracil
Thymine pair (A-T) pair (A-U)
5 Base pairs Cytosine and Cytosine and
Guanine pair (C-G) Guanine pair (C-G)

References:
1. https://byjus.com/biology/difference-between-dna-and-rna/
2. https://microbenotes.com/differences-between-dna-and-rna/
3. https://cm.jefferson.edu/learn/dna-and-rna/#ref64
4. https://www.expii.com/t/dna-vs-rna-differences-similarities-
10205#:~:text=So%2C%20the%20three%20main
%20structural,DNA%20has%20the%20sugar%20deoxyribose.

You might also like