Differences Between DNA And RNA

The primary difference between DNA and RNA is the difference of sugar component and the type of nucleobase present. Firstly, RNA contains the sugar ribose, while DNA contains a modified version known as deoxyribose, which lacks one oxygen atom.

DNA vs. RNA

Here are the main differences between DNA and RNA:

Factors	DNA	RNA
Full Name	Deoxyribonucleic Acid	Ribonucleic Acid
Sugar Component	Deoxyribose	Ribose
Structure	Double-stranded helix	Mostly single-stranded
Bases	Adenine (A), Thymine (T), Cytosine (C), Guanine (G)	Adenine (A), Uracil (U), Cytosine (C), Guanine (G)
Function	Carries genetic information	Involved in protein synthesis and gene expression
Location	Found in the nucleus	Found in the nucleus, cytoplasm, and ribosomes
Stability	More stable and less prone to degradation	Less stable and more prone to degradation
Types	Genomic DNA, mitochondrial DNA, plasmid DNA, etc.	Messenger RNA (mRNA), transfer RNA (tRNA), ribosomal RNA (rRNA), etc.
Replication	Replicates during cell division	Transcribed from DNA during gene expression
Genetic Code	Contains the complete genetic instructions for an organism	Transfers the genetic information from DNA to synthesize proteins
Role in Protein Synthesis	DNA serves as a template for RNA synthesis during transcription	RNA molecules are involved in translation, transferring genetic information and assembling proteins