Question 15 Marks
Differentiate between DNA and RNA.
Answer
View full question & answer→Differences between DNA and RNA
| DNA | RNA |
| 1. DNA is deoxyribonucleic acid. | 1. RNA is ribonucleic acid. |
| 2. DNA occurs in the nucleus of the cell in chromosomes. | 2. RNA occurs mainly in the cytoplasm of the cell. |
| 3. DNA has double-stranded helix and both the helical strands are coiled in opposite directions. | 3. Generally, RNA is formed of a single strand. Double-stranded RNA is also found but they are non-helical. RNA molecule may be coiled on itself. |
| 4. DNA nucleotides consist of deoxyribose sugar. | 4. RNA nucleotides consists of ribose sugar. |
| 5. The nitrogenous bases found in DNA are: Purine bases Adenine and Guanine. Pyrimidine bases: Cytosine and Thymine. | 5. The nitrogenous bases found in RNA are: Purine bases: Adenine and Guanine. Pyrimidine bases: Cytosine and Uracil. |
| 6. DNA is the genetic material. | 6. RNA when present with DNA is not the genetic material. |