The main difference between DNA and RNA is that DNA is a double-stranded molecule with deoxyribose sugar that stores genetic information, while RNA is single-stranded with ribose sugar and functions in protein synthesis. This comparison is tested in NEET almost every year, with questions ranging from structural differences (sugar, bases) to functional roles (replication vs transcription).
| Basis | DNA | RNA |
|---|---|---|
| Full form | Deoxyribonucleic acid | Ribonucleic acid |
| Sugar | Deoxyribose (lacks –OH at 2' carbon) | Ribose (has –OH at 2' carbon) |
| Nitrogenous bases | A, G, C, T (thymine) | A, G, C, U (uracil replaces thymine) |
| Structure | Double-stranded helix (usually) | Single-stranded (usually) |
| Location | Nucleus, mitochondria, chloroplast | Nucleus, cytoplasm, ribosomes |
| Function | Stores and transmits genetic information | Protein synthesis (mRNA, tRNA, rRNA) |
| Replication | Self-replicating | Synthesized from DNA template |
| Stability | More stable (double-stranded, deoxyribose) | Less stable (single-stranded, reactive 2'–OH) |
| Types | One type (but varies in form: A, B, Z) | Three main types: mRNA, tRNA, rRNA |
| Base pairing | A–T (2 H-bonds), G–C (3 H-bonds) | A–U (in dsRNA regions like tRNA cloverleaf) |
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