The following distinguishing characteristics can be used to differentiate between DNA and RNA:
- Pentose sugar - the deoxyribose of DNA has one less oxygen than the ribose of RNA
- Nitrogenous bases - DNA contain adenine, thymine, cytosine, guanine; RNA contains adenine, uracil, cytosine, and guanine.
- Strandedness - DNA is double-stranded and RNA is single-stranded.
- Functions - DNA stores genetic information and RNA transfers the information to other places in the cell.
- Location - DNA is only found in the nucleus whereas RNA can be found in both the nucleus and cytoplasm. DNA contains the information for protein synthesis; RNA carries out protein synthesis.
- Reactivity - DNA is less reactive due to stable C-H bonds; RNA is more reactive due to C-OH bond. DNA is stable in alkaline/basic conditions while RNA is unstable in alkaline/basic conditions.
- UV radiation - DNA is more easily damaged.
- Grooves - DNA has smaller grooves reduce enzyme ability to attach and damage while RNA has large grooves enable enzymes to attach and damage.
- Geometry - DNA has B-form helix geometry and RNA has A-form helix geometry
