DNA & RNA

• DNA is the genetic material that contains all the instructions needed to make an organism
• RNA is used as a messenger molecule, carrying information from one part of the cell to another.
• The structure of DNA consists of two strands twisted around each other forming a double helix shape.
• RNA stands for ribonucleic acid, it carries out specific functions within cells.
• Each strand of DNA has a sugar-phosphate backbone with nitrogenous bases attached to it.
• Nitrogenous bases are adenine (A), thymine (T), cytosine (C) and guanine (G).
• Each nucleotide has three parts - a sugar (ribose), a phosphate group and a nitrogenous base.
• In DNA, A always pairs with T and C always pairs with G.
• Adenine always pairs with thymine or uracil through hydrogen bonds.
• RNA also has a sugar-phosphate backbone but uracil replaces thymine.
• DNA replicates and stores genetic information.
• RNA converts genetic information to proteins.
• DNA have a longer polymer than RNA.
• RNA molecules are variable in length.