DNA vs. RNA
DNA: DNA stands for “deoxyribonucleic acid.” It contains genetic instructions that allow organisms to
grow and function.
RNA: RNA stands for “ribonucleic acid.” It executes the instructions given by DNA and synthesizes
proteins.
DNA
RNA
- A type of nucleic acid
- Double-stranded helix
- Located in the nucleus of a cell
- Contains deoxyribose sugar for its backbone
- Contains the following nitrogenous bases:
• adenine • guanine • cytosine • thymine
- Main type: mostly occurs as B-form DNA
- Also a nucleic acid
- Single-stranded
- Located in the nucleus and cytoplasm
- Contains ribose sugar for its backbone
- Contains the following nitrogenous bases:
• adenine • guanine • cytosine • uracil
- Main types: mRNA, rRNA, and tRNA
Cytosine
Adenine
NH₂
NH₂
N
C
N
H
C
C
HC
N
N
N
CH
C
Thymine
O
O
C
C
N
H
N
H
CH
CH₃
CH
N
C
C
C
N
H
C
C
N
C
N
N
N
CH
O
C
NH₂
- Sugar covalently bonds to phosphate groups
forming RNA’s backbone with nitrogenous
bases binding the two strands
- Adenine hydrogen bonds to thymine
- Guanine hydrogen bonds to cytosine
FACT
SHEET
HN
O
C
C
N
H
CH
N
H
CH
O
O
NH
C
C
Guanine
Uracil
HC
N
H
N
HC
CH
O
C
NH₂
NH₂
Guanine
O
HN
C
Cytosine
Adenine
CH
CH
N
C
N
H
C
C
HC
N
NH
C
NH₂
- Sugar covalently bonds to phosphate groups
forming RNA’s backbone with nitrogenous
bases formed according to the bases from DNA
- Adenine hydrogen bonds to uracil
- Guanine hydrogen bonds to cytosine
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