Table of contents

1. Introduction to Genetics51m
2. Mendel's Laws of Inheritance3h 37m
3. Extensions to Mendelian Inheritance2h 41m
4. Genetic Mapping and Linkage2h 28m
5. Genetics of Bacteria and Viruses1h 21m
6. Chromosomal Variation1h 48m
7. DNA and Chromosome Structure56m
8. DNA Replication1h 10m
9. Mitosis and Meiosis1h 34m
10. Transcription1h 0m
11. Translation58m
12. Gene Regulation in Prokaryotes1h 19m
13. Gene Regulation in Eukaryotes44m
14. Genetic Control of Development44m
15. Genomes and Genomics1h 50m
16. Transposable Elements47m
17. Mutation, Repair, and Recombination1h 6m
18. Molecular Genetic Tools19m
- Genetic Cloning
  9m
- Methods for Analyzing DNA
  9m
19. Cancer Genetics29m
- Overview of Cancer
  21m
- Cancer Mutations
  7m
20. Quantitative Genetics1h 26m
21. Population Genetics50m
- Hardy Weinberg
  19m
- Allelic Frequency Changes
  31m
22. Evolutionary Genetics29m

7. DNA and Chromosome Structure

RNA

Genetics

7. DNA and Chromosome Structure

RNA

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1:23 minutes

Problem 18

Textbook Question

List three main differences between DNA and RNA.

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DNA contains the sugar deoxyribose, whereas RNA contains the sugar ribose. The difference lies in the presence of a hydroxyl (-OH) group on the 2' carbon of ribose in RNA, which is absent in deoxyribose in DNA.

DNA is typically double-stranded, forming a double helix structure, while RNA is usually single-stranded and does not form a double helix under normal conditions.

DNA uses the nitrogenous base thymine (T) to pair with adenine (A), whereas RNA uses uracil (U) in place of thymine to pair with adenine.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Structure

DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) is a double-stranded molecule with a deoxyribose sugar, while RNA (ribonucleic acid) is typically single-stranded and contains ribose sugar. The structural differences contribute to their distinct functions in the cell.

Nucleotide Composition

The nucleotides in DNA include adenine, thymine, cytosine, and guanine, whereas RNA contains adenine, uracil, cytosine, and guanine. The presence of uracil in RNA instead of thymine is a key difference that affects base pairing during processes like transcription.

Function

DNA serves primarily as the genetic blueprint for an organism, storing and transmitting hereditary information. In contrast, RNA plays various roles in protein synthesis, including messenger RNA (mRNA) that carries genetic information from DNA to ribosomes for translation.

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Related Practice

Multiple Choice

Unlike DNA, RNA contains the nitrogenous base:

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Multiple Choice

True or False:RNA predated DNA as the main genetic material during the early world.

Which of the following is not a difference between DNA and RNA?

Which of the following terms is used to describe catalytically active RNA molecules?

What are the three major types of RNA molecules? How is each related to the concept of information flow?

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Textbook Question

During gel electrophoresis, DNA molecules can easily be separated according to size because all DNA molecules have the same charge-to-mass ratio and the same shape (long rod). Would you expect RNA molecules to behave in the same manner as DNA during gel electrophoresis? Why or why not?

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Multiple Choice

Which of the following lists correctly identifies the four nitrogenous bases found in RNA?

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Multiple Choice

Which of the following is a unique feature of the nitrogenous bases found in RNA compared to DNA?

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