Differences between DNA and RNA: South African Curriculum CAPS (South Africa)

Differences between DNA and RNA: South African Curriculum CAPS (South Africa)

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Differences between DNA and RNA: South African Curriculum CAPS (Grade 12, Grade 11, Grade 10) (South Africa): DNA stands for deoxyribonucleic acid, while RNA is ribonucleic acid. Although DNA and RNA both carry genetic information, there are quite a few differences between them. This is a comparison of the differences between DNA versus RNA, including a quick summary and a detailed table of the differences.


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Summary of Differences Between DNA and RNA

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  1. DNA contains the sugar deoxyribose, while RNA contains the sugar ribose. The only difference between ribose and deoxyribose is that ribose has one more -OH group than deoxyribose, which has -H attached to the second (2′) carbon in the ring.
  2. DNA is a double-stranded molecule, while RNA is a single-stranded molecule.
  3. DNA is stable under alkaline conditions, while RNA is not stable.
  4. DNA and RNA perform different functions in humans. DNA is responsible for storing and transferring genetic information, while RNA directly codes for amino acids and acts as a messenger between DNA and ribosomes to make proteins.
  5. DNA and RNA base pairing is slightly different since DNA uses the bases adenine, thymine, cytosine, and guanine; RNA uses adenine, uracil, cytosine, and guanine. Uracil differs from thymine in that it lacks a methyl group on its ring.

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