Did you know what are the major differences between RNA vs DNA? We have done a comprehensive comparison of DNA and RNA with 8 common differences. Keep reading

1. DNA vs RNA : Top 8 Common Differences!
Have you wondered what is the chemical difference between DNA and RNA or
what sets ribose sugar DNA or RNA apart from each other? We have got the
answers to all your questions right here! Keep reading to find out interesting
things about RNA vs DNA:
What is DNA?
DNA is formed by nucleotides that are made up of a sugar group, nitrogen
base, and phosphate group. The n itrogen bases include the following:
1. Adenine (A)

2. 2. Thymine (T)
3. Guanine (G)
4. Cytosine (C)
The nucleotides that make up the structure of DNA are bound to create 2
two long strands that create a double helix. The sugar and pho sphate groups
are present on the sides of the helix and the bases are present on the
strands.
What is RNA?
RNA is formed by ribose nucleotides that are attached via phosphodiester
bonds and create strands of different lengths. In other words, RNA is a
complex compound with a high molecular weight. It plays an important role
in the synthesis of protein and, in some viruses, it replaces the DNA as the
carrier of genetic codes. The nitrogenous bases present in RNA include the
following:
1. Adenine (A)
2. Guanine (G)
3. Cytosine (C)
4. Uracil (U)
Uracil is the base that replaces Thymine which is present in DNA. RNA has a
chemically reactive hydroxyl (−OH) group which is bound to the second
carbon group. This settlement of molecules makes it more prone to
hydrolysis. This is also the reason why DNA which does not contain
chemically reactive hydroxyl (−OH) group, is thought to have evolved as the

3. preferred option to carry important genetic information across most
organisms.
Comparison of DNA and RNA
Both RNA and DNA serve the same function i.e., store genetic information,
they are quite different from one another. Let’s take a look and compare the
Sr.
No
Characteristics DNA RNA
1 Full Form Deoxyribonucleic Acid Ribonucleic Acid
2
What is the
function?
DNA is a blueprint for all genetic
information in an organism and it
replicates and stores that information.
RNA actually transforms the genetic
information that is stored in DNA to a
format that is used in building proteins. It
then proceeds to ribosomal protein factories.
3 What is the length?
DNA is longer than RNA in length.
For instance, a chromosome can be
quite long when unravelled going up to
several centimetres.
RNA can vary in length, however, it is
considerably shorter than DNA.
Surprisingly, a large molecule of RNA can
be only a few thousand base pairs in length.
4 What are the sugars?
DNA has the deoxyribose sugar and
has one less hydroxyl group as
compared to RNA’s ribose.
RNA has ribose sugar molecules but they do
not have the hydroxyl modifications that
deoxyribose has.
5 What are the bases?
DNA contains Cytosine (‘C’), Adenine
(‘A’), Guanine (‘G’), and Thymine
(‘T’).
RNA Uracil (‘U’), Adenine (‘A’), Cytosine
(‘C’), and Guanine (‘G’).
6
What is the base
pairing?
DNA has Adenine & Thymine pair (A-
T) and Cytosine & Guanine pair (C-
G).
RNA has Adenine & Uracil pair (A-U) and
Cytosine & Guanine pair (C-G).
7
What is their
Ultraviolet (UV)
Sensitivity?
Deoxyribonucleic acid is susceptible to
damages caused by ultraviolet light.
Ribonucleic acid is a lot more resistant to
damages caused by UV light as compared to
DNA.
8
Where are they
found?
DNA is present in the nucleus of the
cell along with a tiny amount of DNA
also present in mitochondria of the
cell.
The Ribonucleic Acid is created in the
nucleolus, and then it goes to specialised
regions of the cytoplasm based on the kind
of RNA formed.

4. structure of DNA and RNA:
A Comprehensive Summary of Differences Between RNA
vs DNA
Let’s sum all of it up in short sentences now:
• DNA has deoxyribose and RNA has ribose as the sugar. Ribose and
deoxyribose differ in terms of the -OH group (ribose has one more
than deoxyribose).
• RNA is single-stranded and DNA is double-stranded.
• RNA is unstable in alkaline conditions and DNA is stable.
• DNA stores and transfers genetic information in human beings and
RNA acts as a messenger between the ribosome and DNA to produce
proteins and it also directly codes for amino acids.
So, can you now differentiate between RNA vs DNA?