Dissimilarity of DNA and RNA
RNA vs. DNA: What’s the Difference?
While life is very diverse at the molecular level, it comprises the same building blocks – Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA). DNA and RNA are essential molecules in cell biology, and these molecules are responsible for the storage and interpretation of genetic information that bolsters all life.
They are both linear polymers, consisting of phosphates, sugars, and bases. But there are specific vital differences that separate them. These differences allow the two to work together and achieve their essential roles. Here is the crucial difference between DNA and RNA. But, before we go into the difference between the two, we take a look at what DNA and RNA are. However, there are key differences in both structure and function that make each unique. These differences allow the two molecules to work together and separately achieve their essential roles. In this article, we examine RNA vs. DNA and explore what exactly they are.
Defining DNA
DNA tells each person’s unique story in molecule form. Half of your DNA cell stems come from your father and the other half from your mother. Together, these cell stems create a long and complex code that stores every detail about you, including details about your health, looks, and ancestry.
Each section of DNA contains a code for a specific protein that’s linked to a physical characteristic or specific functions. Variations in the code are what create the different characteristics of each person. For example, people with brown eyes have different DNA at the OCA2 section than people with blue eyes.
3 Essential Facts About DNA
1. DNA is responsible for storing all the hereditary materials of a cell.
2. It also has all the directives for synthesizing other molecules.
3. It is a polymer made of small molecules known as nucleotides. Each nucleotide has a phosphate group, nitrogenous base, and a 5-carbon sugar. The type of nitrogenous bases present in DNA molecules are:
a. Adenine
b. Thymine
c. Guanine
d. Cytosine
The DNA molecules’ nucleotide sequence controls the instructions present in a stretched DNA. A string of nucleotides joined together to make a DNA strand. Each DNA molecule has 2 strands that twist around one another to form a double helix structure. The nucleotides are joined together by hydrogen bonds to make up a DNA strand. These bonds are formed between specific nitrogenous bases, referred to as base pairs. The base pairs in deoxyribonucleic acid include:
- Adenine and Thymine
- Cytosine and Guanine
DNA pairing works the same way in all species, though different proteins are present.
What Can We Do With DNA?
The popularity of at-home testing kits has increased the average person’s knowledge of DNA and how it works. Today, most people know that DNA can be used to explore ancestry, confirm paternity and maternity, and provide important information about health risks.
Other functions DNA can perform include:
- Creating personalized medicines
- Catching criminals
- Fighting genetic disorders
- Improving athletic training
Who knows what humans will be able to do with the information provided by DNA in the future? Some experts predict that DNA will enable future biologists to create new organisms for the sole purpose of making human life better.
Defining RNA
Ribonucleic acid (RNA) is similar to DNA in structure, but it is usually single-stranded. The spine of RNA is made of sugar ribose and alternating phosphate groups, while DNA’s spine is made from deoxyribose.. RNA is mainly found in the cytoplasm, while some may also be in the nucleus. Its job is to fulfill the encoded instructions in DNA. There are 3 types of RNA, each performing a different function.
- Messenger RNA (mRNA): This type of RNA carries coding sequences for protein synthesis to the ribosomes.
- Ribosomal RNA (rRNA) is the primary ribosome component that performs protein synthesis.
- Transfer RNA (tRNA): this type of RNA carries amino acids to the ribosome, linked to proteins.
RNA comprises ribonucleotides containing a nucleotide base, a 5-carbon sugar, and a phosphate group.
There are 4 types of Nitrogenous bases in RNA molecules, which include:
- Adenine
- Uracil
- Guanine
- Cytosine
Similar to DNA molecules, RNA is united by phosphodiester bonds which link the 5’ carbon atom of one sugar molecule and the 3’ carbon atom of another sugar. However, unlike deoxyribonucleic acid, ribonucleic acid is a single-stranded molecule, though it can still be shaped into double-stranded structures. The base pairs are as follow:
- Adenine and Uracil
- Cytosine and Guanine
DNA stores genetic material, and RNA carries it. RNA also influences how genes are read and can help determine our observable features.
What Can We Do with RNA?
RNA is made by DNA when needed. It has a relatively unstable structure, especially when compared to the double helix arrangement of DNA. The single-strand loops of RNA are more vulnerable to the enzymes known to break down nucleic acids.
RNA alone is not used to help determine ancestry or confirm paternity, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t play an essential role. The study of RNA led science to define crucial concepts like eukaryotes, archaea, and bacteria — the three domains of life.
As genetic science continues to develop, the study of RNA could lead to a variety of breakthroughs. For instance, it might be able to provide an even more comprehensive look at the diversity of organisms in our environment.
DNA vs. RNA: How Do They Differ?
DNA and RNA are undeniably the most essential molecules in cell biology. Together they are responsible for storing and interpreting the genetic information that makes all life possible.
While they share some similarities, there are five key differences between RNA vs. DNA that are important to understand.
Here, we have identified the key areas where DNA and RNA differ:
Function
DNA is the blueprint responsible for creating all biological life, and it encodes all genetic information. These functions are only in the short term. And in the long-term, DNA serves as storage that allows life blueprints to pass from one generation to another. On the other hand, RNA is a copy of DNA that is used to transfer the genetic code to the ribosomes from the nucleus to make proteins.
Sugar
While the backbone of DNA and RNA comprises sugar, sugar in DNA is known as alternating sugar (deoxyribose) and ribose in RNA. The “deoxy” shows that DNA has only one hydroxyl (-OH) and alone hydrogen atom attached to its carbon backbone, while RNA has 2 hydroxyl groups attached. RNA’s extra hydroxyl group helps convert genetic code into mRNAs that can be changed to proteins. In contrast, deoxyribose sugar makes DNA more stable.
Bases
As earlier discussed, the bases present in DNA molecules are adenine, Thymine, Guanine, and cytosine. RNA also contains all these bases, except thymine bases. It replaces the base-pairing with uracil bases, which pair to adenine.
Length
A DNA molecule is made up of a single chromosome composed of about 200 million nucleotide pairs, which is equal to about 2 inches in length. The RNA molecules formed from transcription separate from the parent DNA in a short strand form. Since they are copies of only a particular DNA region, RNAs are shorter than DNA, and RNAs are a few nucleotides long.
Location
DNA is stored inside the nucleus, making it easier to transfer them. Few DNA is also present in the mitochondria. The 3 types of RNA can be found in different locations. The mRNA is found in the cytoplasm, the tRNA roams around the cytoplasm, and the rRNA is part of the ribosome.
Reactivity
DNA is an integral part of organisms, so it needs to be protected against changes like mutations or attacks. Proteins protect the DNA stored inside the nucleus. Plus, the molecule has many means of repair. RNA, in contrast, is more reactive than DNA. Besides, the single-strand structure makes RNA more vulnerable to enzyme attacks.
Ultraviolet Damage
The interaction of DNA or RNA with UV radiation leads to the creation of photo-products. Pyrimidine dimers are the essential photo-products, and they are formed from cytosine or thymine bases in DNA and cytosines or uracil in RNA. Ultraviolet induces the creation of covalent linkages between a series of bases. Proteins and DNA are the major targets of ultraviolet medicated cellular damage because of the ultraviolet absorption characteristics and abundance in the cells. Overall, DNA is more vulnerable to UV radiation than RNA.
DNA Replication
DNA self-replicates; this means that each DNA strand serves as a template for new strands creation. During DNA replication, the double helix exposes the two DNA strands. After unzipping the DNA, it creates 2 new strands – the leading and lagging strands. The leading strand replicates, while the lagging strand divides into smaller pieces. RNA, on the other hand, is not self-replicating. Instead, it is synthesized from DNA via the transcription process. It copies a part of the DNA to produce an RNA molecule during this process.
Structure
The structural differences between RNA vs. DNA are rooted in the different sugars present in each molecule. The stable, double-stranded double helix form of DNA is dependent on deoxyribose. The less stable, looping single strand of RNA is built on ribose.
Protein Synthesis
Both DNA and RNA molecules play a crucial role in protein synthesis, which:
- Helps muscles recover after exercise
- Supports a healthy immune system
- Fulfills other functions that keep you healthy
DNA stores the genetic information for proteins, and RNA is responsible for carrying that information to ribosomes, where they are then sequenced.
DNA vs. RNA: Why Does It Matter?
For most people, understanding the difference between DNA and RNA is probably not a vital task. However, as the science of genetic testing continues to become mainstream, familiarity with the terminology, functions, and usefulness of these basic building blocks of life becomes more important.
From a consumer’s point of view, it’s important to know what types of genetic testing you are agreeing to when you send your DNA sample in for testing. It is also worth knowing whether the testing company’s claims are backed by science.
DNA and RNA both play essential roles in the development of who you are. In combination, they affect your health, your ability to recover from illness, and even how you look.
References:
https://www.dictionary.com/e/dna-vs-rna-vs-mrna-the-differences-are-vital/
https://study.com/learn/lesson/difference-between-dna-and-rna.html
https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/understanding/basics/dna/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DNA
https://www.genome.gov/genetics-glossary/RNA-Ribonucleic-Acid#:~:text=Ribonucleic%20acid%20(RNA)%20is%20a,(ribose)%20and%20phosphate%20groups.&text=Different%20types%20of%20RNA%20exist,and%20transfer%20RNA%20(tRNA).
