DNA and RNA Structure Comparison

This page provides a detailed comparison of the nucleotide structure in DNA and RNA, highlighting their similarities and differences.

The illustration shows the chemical structures of the nucleotide bases found in DNA and RNA. Both types of nucleic acids share adenine, guanine, and cytosine, but differ in their fourth base.

Vocabulary: Nucleotides are the building blocks of DNA and RNA, consisting of a sugar, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base.

DNA Structure: DNA contains four bases: adenine, guanine, cytosine, and thymine. The chemical structures of these bases are shown in detail, revealing their unique compositions.

Example: Adenine in DNA has a structure with two rings containing nitrogen atoms, while cytosine has a single ring structure.

RNA Structure: RNA shares three bases with DNA (adenine, guanine, and cytosine) but replaces thymine with uracil. The chemical structures of these bases are also illustrated.

Highlight: The key difference between DNA and RNA is the presence of thymine in DNA and uracil in RNA.

Definition: DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid) is the molecule that carries genetic instructions in all known living organisms, while RNA (Ribonucleic Acid) plays various roles in coding, decoding, regulation, and expression of genes.

The detailed chemical structures provided in the image allow for a clear comparison of the nucleic acid structure between DNA and RNA, emphasizing their molecular similarities and differences.

Quote: "Made with Goodnotes" - This indicates that the illustration was created using the Goodnotes application, suggesting it's a digital representation of these complex molecular structures.