DNA and RNA Full Form
What is the full form of DNA and RNA?
Earth's life is extremely diverse, ranging from simple single-celled protozoa to intricate multicellular plants and animals. But at the molecular level, DNA and RNA are the same building blocks that make up all life. The fact that DNA is double-stranded and RNA is single-stranded is one of the key distinctions between the two molecules.
Further in this article we will learn a lot more about DNA and RNA.
DNA and RNA
DNA stands for Deoxyribonucleic acid, it is a genetic material that is passed down from one generation to the next. It is made up of several million nucleotide chains and is the biggest molecule in a live cell. Genetic information conveyed by chromosomes is present in the nucleotide order of polymers.
RNA stands for Ribonucleic acid, the structure of RNA, a nucleic acid, is essentially identical to that of DNA with the exception of one base, which is Uracil instead of Thymine. RNA comes in three distinct species. All of these components are necessary for the cell to operate normally, especially when producing proteins. With the exception of a few viruses, the RNA molecule does not serve as an information carrier. Additionally, compared to the DNA molecule, these molecules are less stable.
More about DNA
The DNA molecule was first visualised in three dimensions by Watson and Crick in 1953. They proposed that the DNA molecule was made up of two helical strands that were coiled around the same axis to form a helical double-helical structure. Deoxyribose and phosphate alternate hydrophilic skeleton groups are found on the exterior of the double helix, in the direction of the surrounding aqueous media. Inside the double helix, the hydrophobic bases of the purine and pyrimidine bases create nearly planar annular formations that are perpendicular to the DNA's long axis and close to one another.
Types of DNA
A-DNA: The double helix is right-handed and resembles the B-DNA type. DNA that has been dehydrated adopts an A form that shields it from harmful circumstances like desiccation. DNA takes on an A form as a result of protein binding, which also removes the solvent from DNA.
B-DNA: This right-handed helix is the DNA shape that occurs the most frequently. Under typical physiological settings, most DNA has a B type shape.
C-DNA: At 66% relative humidity and lithium (Lit+) ions, DNA is discovered in its C-form. The number of base pairs per turn in C-DNA is lower than in A- and B-DNA, at 28/3 or 9 1/3. The base pairs exhibit a 7.8° strong negative inclination.
D-DNA: Extreme variants of the D-form of DNA are an uncommon occurrence. There are eight base pairs overall every helix rotation. It exhibits eight-fold symmetry as a result.
Z-DNA: The double helix of Z-DNA, a left-handed DNA, twists in a zigzag pattern to the left. The discovery was produced by Alexander Rich and Andres Wang. Given that it is situated before a gene's start point, it is assumed to be involved in gene regulation.
More about RNA
RNA is one of the two nucleic acids that can be found in creatures like bacteria, viruses, plants, and animals. They only decipher coded messages and are not genetic documents.
Contrary to DNA, which has the base of thymine, RNA has uracil (not stable) as one of its bases. As a result, secondary structures can be formed on RNA with ease. Uracil attaches to Adenine as he reaches the layer, stabilising the secondary structure.
Compared to the DNA molecule, ribose sugar in RNA has the most OH groups on its carbon atoms. Other biological functions are made possible by the greatest number of OH groups in RNA.
Types of RNA
tRNA: During translation, the transfer RNA, or tRNA, transports amino acids to ribosomes.
mRNA: The messenger RNA, also known as the mRNA, encodes the polypeptide's amino acid sequences.
rRNA: The ribosomal RNA, or rRNA, creates ribosomes, which are organelles that carry out the translation of the messenger RNA (mRNA).
snRNA: In eukaryotes, tiny nuclear RNA and proteins form complexes that are used for RNA processing.
Difference between DNA and RNA
Comparison | DNA | RNA |
Full form | Deoxyribonucleic acid | Ribonucleic acid |
Function | DNA copies itself and stores genetic data. Through DNA we can get the blueprint of genes. | RNA transports the genetic material from DNA to the ribosomal protein factories in a form that may be used to construct proteins. |
Structure | Two strands of DNA are organised in a double helix. The strands building elements are called nucleotides. Phosphate, a nitrogenous base, and a sugar molecule with five carbons are all components of each nucleotide. | Although RNA only has one strand, it is composed of nucleotides, just like DNA. DNA strands are longer than those of RNA. Only infrequently does RNA generate a secondary double helix structure. |
Sugar | Deoxyribose is the sugar found in DNA, and has one fewer hydroxyl group than ribose, the sugar found in RNA. | RNA has ribose sugar molecules but not deoxyribose's hydroxyl modifications. |
Base pairs | Pair ofThymine and Adenine (A-T) pair of cytosine and guanine (C-G) | Pair of Adenine and Uracil (A-U) pair of cytosine and guanine (C-G) |
Ultraviolet sensitivity | DNA can be harmed with Ultraviolet light. | Compared to DNA, RNA is more resistant to UV light |
Other Related Full Forms
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
In DNA and RNA, three of the four nitrogenous bases are the same (cytosine, adenine, guanine).
DNA is found in mitochondria and the nucleus of a cell. RNA is also present in the nucleus, cytoplasm, and ribosomes.
There is one fewer hydroxyl group holding oxygen in the deoxyribose sugar of DNA. A more stable nucleic acid is DNA. As opposed to DNA, RNA has ribose sugar and is more reactive. As a result, DNA is a superior genetic component over RNA.
Protein and RNA are synthesised with the aid of the plant hormone cytokinin. It works in harmony with auxins in nature. It encourages cell division and growth when auxins are present. It allows seeds to emerge from dormancy.
While RNA cannot self-replicate, DNA can, thus when RNA is needed, it is created from DNA (DNA transcription).