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Chapter 24: Problem 80

Explain the chemical differences between DNA and RNA.

Short Answer

Expert verified
DNA and RNA differ chemically in their structure, sugar components, nucleotide bases, stability, and function. DNA is double-stranded and contains deoxyribose sugar, while RNA is single-stranded with ribose sugar. The bases in DNA are A, T, G, and C, whereas RNA has A, U, G, and C. DNA is more stable and its main function is to store genetic information, while RNA has diverse functions like mRNA for protein synthesis, tRNA for translation, and rRNA for ribosome structure.

Step by step solution

01

Introduction

DNA and RNA are nucleic acids that store and transmit genetic information in cells. They have some critical chemical differences that give them distinct functions and properties. This explanation will cover their structure, nucleotide composition, and roles in cells.
02

Structure

DNA is a double-stranded molecule formed by two parallel chains of nucleotides arranged in an antiparallel manner, while RNA is usually a single-stranded molecule. This double-stranded structure of DNA enables it to store genetic information more stably and accurately, while the single-stranded nature of RNA allows it to have diverse functional capabilities.
03

Sugar Component

The sugar component in nucleotides differs between DNA and RNA. In DNA, the sugar is called deoxyribose (due to the absence of an oxygen atom at the second carbon), while in RNA, the sugar is ribose. This subtle difference affects the overall stability of the molecules.
04

Nucleotide Bases

Both DNA and RNA have four bases each, but they differ in one base. DNA has adenine (A), guanine (G), cytosine (C), and thymine (T). In contrast, RNA contains adenine (A), guanine (G), cytosine (C), and uracil (U) instead of thymine. This difference can affect the way genetic information is read during transcription and translation.
05

Stability and replication

DNA is relatively more stable compared to RNA due to its double-stranded structure and the presence of deoxyribose sugar. The hydrogen bonding between the two strands in DNA provides an extra layer of protection for the genetic information. In addition, DNA can be replicated to pass on the genetic information to future generations, while RNA is synthesized from DNA as needed.
06

Function

DNA mainly serves as the storage of genetic information and provides the blueprint for the synthesis of proteins. RNA, on the other hand, plays various roles depending on its type: messenger RNA (mRNA) carries the genetic code from DNA to the ribosomes for protein synthesis, transfer RNA (tRNA) helps in the process of translation by bringing amino acids to the ribosome, and ribosomal RNA (rRNA) is a part of the ribosome structure itself. In conclusion, DNA and RNA have significant chemical differences in their structure, nucleotide composition, and roles in cells. These differences allow them to carry out their respective functions effectively and contribute to the overall complexity and diversity of life.

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