DNA and RNA: Definition, differences, functions and more

The specific carrier of genetic information in all organisms is the nucleic acid known as DNA, the other main nucleic acid is ribonucleic acid, its five-carbon sugar is slightly different from that of DNA. In this article we show you interesting information about the Structure of DNA and RNA!

DNA and RNA

Meaning of DNA and RNA

Life on earth is highly diverse, from single-celled protozoa to complex multicellular plants and animals, but at the molecular level, all life is essentially made up of the same basic building blocks, DNA and RNA since they are part of the Origin of life, one of the main differences between DNA and RNA is that DNA is double-stranded while RNA is single-stranded. 

What is DNA?

Physically, it is a macromolecule that not only stores hereditary information in itself, but is also a detailed instruction for the conditional development of the entire organism from a universal cell.

If you compare a person to a computer and the entire diversity of biological life is compared to various forms of robotic computers, DNA in this comparison will be a biological programming language, the only difference is that biological species are much more complex and perfect than the most advanced computers.

For example, all species have the unique ability to divide and transform cells, in fact, in the course of cellular self-reproduction, biomass not only materializes from itself, but also physically transforms to solve many highly complex tasks. specialized and all the variety of living species, their forms, unique abilities comes from the division of a universal cell, this alone goes far beyond all modern genetic achievements.

Function

La DNA function has to do with a protein is one or more polymers of monomers known as amino acids, proteins are the workhorse molecules in your cells, they come in as enzymes, structural support, hormones, and a host of other effective molecules, all traits they emanate from the interactions of proteins with each other and the surrounding environments.

DNA structure

Everyone has heard that deoxyribonucleic acid has a double-stranded structure, on the Internet, in movies, in advertisements, you can find its enlarged image everywhere. Let us better understand what the DNA structure:

  • Nucleotides are basic building blocks.
  • Two strings of genes, twisted into a spiral.
  • Each chain is made up of nucleotides that code for a specific gene.
  • The two chains are linked by hydrogen bonds.

Nucleotide chains also contain completely unexplored structures that, at first glance, do not participate in physiological processes, these rather large areas are called garbage.

PREMIUM QUALITY 

  • A-DNA: It is found at 75% humidity, in an environment where there is a higher salt concentration or ionic concentrations, such as K +, Na +, Cs + or in a state of dehydration, it remains in a form containing 11 pairs of nucleotides with an increase of 2.56 A 0  vertically per base pair.  
  • B-DNA: It is at a humidity of 9.25 and a low salt concentration or ionic strength, it has 10 base pairs per turn coming from the helical axis.
  • C-DNA: It is observed at a humidity of 66% and in the occupation of some ions such as lithium (Li +). It has about 9.33 base pairs per turn, the diameter of the helix is ​​about 19 A 0 and the vertical elevation of each base pair for the right helix is ​​3.320.
  • D-DNA: Rarely seen as an extreme variant, all 8 base pairs titrate negatively from the helix axis with axial increase if about 3.03A 0
  • Z-DNA: It is found in an environment with a very high salt concentration, unlike DNA type A, B and C, it is a left-handed helical structure.

DNA and RNA and Their Types

What is RNA?

If the ADN is the cabinet of ministers that governs everything and makes all the decisions, then the ARN is the press attaché, notifying everyone of new orders and decrees, and distributing instructions in the field.

RNA is a ribonucleic acid that can copy the shapes of various deoxyribonucleic acid regions and transport them from the cell nucleus to its intracellular space.

Function

The central dogma of molecular biology suggests that the main function of RNA is to convert the information stored in DNA into proteins.

RNA structure

RNA is usually a single-stranded molecule, also the sugar in RNA is ribose instead of deoxyribose (ribose contains one more hydroxyl group on the second carbon), which explains the name of the molecule, RNA consists of four bases nitrogenous: 

  • Adenine
  • Cytosine
  • uracil
  • Guanine 

Uracil is a pyrimidine that is structurally similar to thymine, another pyrimidine found in DNA.

DNA and RNA and Their Structure

PREMIUM QUALITY

Only some of the genes in cells are expressed in RNA, the following are the types of RNA where each type is encoded by its own type of gene:

  • tRNA: Transfer RNA or tRNA transports amino acids to ribosomes during translation.
  • mRNA: Messenger RNA or mRNA encodes the amino acid sequences of a polypeptide.
  • rRNA: Ribosomal RNA or rRNA produces ribosomes with the ribosomal proteins which are organelles responsible for the translation of mRNA.
  • snRNA: Small nuclear RNA forms complexes with proteins that are used in RNA processing in eukaryotes.

Difference Between DNA and RNA

The following are the important differences between DNA and RNA:

The DNA

  • It is a long polymer, it has a deoxyribose and phosphate backbone that has four different bases: thymine, adenine, cytosine and guanine.
  • It is found in the nucleus of a cell and in the mitochondria.
  • It has 2-deoxyribose.
  • DNA is functional is the transmission of genetic information, it is formed as a medium for long-term storage.
  • DNA is a double-stranded molecule that has a long chain of nucleotides.
  • DNA replicates itself, it replicates itself.
  • The base pairing is as follows: GC (guanine pairs with cytosine) AT (adenine pairs with thymine).

the RNA

  • It is a polymer with a ribose and phosphate backbone with four variable bases: uracil, cytosine, adenine, and guanine.
  • It is found in the cytoplasm, the nucleus, and the ribosome. 
  • It has ribose.
  • RNA is functional is the transmission of the genetic code that is necessary for the creation of proteins from the nucleus to the ribosome.
  • RNA is a single-stranded molecule that has a shorter chain of nucleotides.
  • RNA does not replicate on its own, it is synthesized from DNA when required.
  • The base pairing is as follows: GC (guanine pairs with cytosine) AU (adenine pairs with uracil).

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