Users' questions

What is the difference between DNA RNA and mRNA?

What is the difference between DNA RNA and mRNA?

All nucleotides are made up of a sugar a base and a phosphate group. In DNA the sugar used is called deoxyribose whereas in RNA the sugar is ribose (hence DNA and RNA). The important structural difference between the two types of RNA is that mRNA takes on the shape of a line whereas tRNA has a clover-like shape.

How does the function of DNA and mRNA differ?

DNA encodes the information necessary to produce the proteins needed by your body. The mRNA is a type of RNA which carries the information from the DNA for protein synthesis. The mRNA moves from the nucleus to the cytoplasm to special organelles called ribosomes where proteins are synthesized.

What is the only difference between DNA and RNA?

There are two differences that distinguish DNA from RNA: (a) RNA contains the sugar ribose, while DNA contains the slightly different sugar deoxyribose (a type of ribose that lacks one oxygen atom), and (b) RNA has the nucleobase uracil while DNA contains thymine.

Do humans have RNA?

Yes, human cells contain RNA. They are the genetic messenger along with DNA. Ribosomal RNA (rRNA) – present associated with ribosomes. It has a structural and catalytic role to play in protein synthesis.

How does mRNA differ from DNA?

DNA comprises a complex, double-helix structure whereas mRNA is a mostly a single-stranded molecule. The main difference between DNA and mRNA is that DNA is the major biomolecule that is responsible for the continuity of life whereas mRNA is responsible for the protein synthesis.

Why is RNA smaller than DNA?

DNA is only located in the nucleus while RNA is made in the nucleus and is able to travel out of the nucleus. RNA molecules are smaller (shorter) than DNA molecules. Both DNA and RNA differ in composition, size and structure. The nitrogenous base Uracil is present in RNA instead of thymine in DNA.

What are the major differences between DNA and RNA?

The major difference between DNA and RNA lies in their structure and function. While, DNA has a double-stranded helix structure, RNA has a single-stranded structure. DNA is made up of long chains of nucleotides, while RNA is made up of shorter chains of nucleotides.

What are the two types of DNA and RNA?

The two main types of nucleic acids are deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA). DNA is the genetic material found in all living organisms and is found in the nucleus of eukaryotes and in the chloroplasts and mitochondria.