DNA and RNA are both nucleic acids that carry genetic information, but they have several key differences.
- Structure: DNA is a double-stranded helix, while RNA is typically single-stranded.
- Sugar: DNA contains deoxyribose sugar, while RNA contains ribose sugar.
- Bases: Both DNA and RNA use adenine (A), guanine (G), and cytosine (C), but DNA uses thymine (T) while RNA uses uracil (U).
- Function: DNA serves as the blueprint for life, carrying the genetic information that is passed down from parents to offspring. RNA uses the genetic code in DNA to create proteins, which are essential for all life processes.
In essence, DNA is the master blueprint, and RNA is the working copy that carries out the instructions encoded in DNA.
