Chapter 36, Problem 41A

Summary Introduction

To write:

The three main differences between DNA and RNA.

Introduction:

The full form of DNA is Deoxyribonucleic acid. DNA is a long polymer that is made from the repeating units called nucleotides that is symbolized by a single capital letter A, T, C and G. The structure of DNA is long and is capable of coiling into tight loops and other shapes. The full form of RNA is Ribonucleic acid; it is an essential nucleic acid in an organism. RNA is the first genetic material from which all genetic code was extracted and from which early life originated.

Explanation of Solution

DNA is a long polymer that is made from the repeating units called nucleotides that is symbolized by a single capital letter A, T, C and G. the structure of DNA is long and is capable of coiling into tight loops and other shapes. The full form of RNA is Ribonucleic acid; it is an essential nucleic acid in an organism. RNA is the first genetic material from which all genetic code was extracted and from which early life originated. The difference between DNA and RNA are

1. DNA contains the sugar deoxyribose, whereas RNA contains the sugar ribose. In DNA the ribose has one more -OH group than deoxyribose, which has -H attached to the second carbon in the RNA.
2. DNA is a double-stranded molecule, whereas RNA is a single-stranded molecule.
3. DNA is always stable under alkaline conditions; on the other hand RNA is not stable.

Conclusion

Thus, these are the three main differences between DNA and RNA.