DNA and RNA are literally the building blocks of life. Our DNA is what makes us unique and no one has the same DNA as anyone else, even identical twins. Both of these molecules play vital roles in living organism’s physical appearance and the way their body functions. Let’s explore what jobs DNA and RNA do and why they are so essential.
What’s Up With DNA?
1. What Is It?
DNA, which stands for DeoxyriboNucleicAcid, is what contains the instructions that are used to develop all living organisms. It contains what makes me, me and what makes you, you. It has the blueprints for the way you will look, sound, and act.
2. What Does It Do?
DNA give the orders for everything that your body needs to do in order to grow, develop, and function properly. It does this by containing a code that is changed into a message that is then used to build proteins. Proteins are made up of amino acids and the only way these amino acids know who belongs where is by following DNA’s instructions. All of the cells in the human body contains DNA, except red blood cells.
3. Structure
The structure of a DNA molecule is like a twisted ladder, known as a double helix. This ladder is made up of alternating sugar and phosphate groups that go in opposite directions. The ladder also has “rungs” which are made of two nitrogen bases that are bonded together by hydrogen bonds. There are four different bases that make up DNA, these are (A) adenine, (C) cytosine, (G) guanine, and (T) thymine. These ladders can be thousands of pairings of these 4 bases long.
4. History
The history of how DNA was discovered is very fascinating. It was originally discovered in the late 1800’s by Frederich Miescher, a Swiss biochemist. It took nearly a hundred years before the structure of the DNA molecule and how important it is to the study of biology would come to light. The big breakthrough with DNA came in 1953 from Francis Crick, Maurice Wilkins, Rosalind Franklin, and James Watson. They studied X-ray diffraction and build models until they figured out the double helix structure of DNA and the roles it played.
5. Fun Facts
Here are Some Fun Facts About DNA!
Every human on the planet shares 99% of their DNA with everyone else.
A parent shares 99.5% of their DNA with their child.
If you set all DNA molecules in a row, end to end, that are in the human body, it would reach from the Earth to the Sun over 600 times.
Humans have 50% of the same DNA as cabbage.
What You Need To Know About RNA
1. Basics
RNA, which stands for RiboNucleicAcid, are the molecules that do the work that DNA instructs. They help to carry to genetic code from the nucleus to the ribosome to create proteins. There are three different types of RNA that are perform different functions in the body.
2. Types
The different types of RNA all serve very vital and important roles in biology.
Transfer RNA (tRNA)
tRNA is found in the cell’s cytoplasm and transfers amino acids to the ribosome.
Messenger RNA (mRNA)
mRNA is the molecule that carries the genetic information stored in the DNA to the cystoplasm so the transfer RNA can go and get the correct amino acids.
Ribosomal RNA (rRNA)
rRNA is in a cell’s cytoplasm, it takes the mRNA and tRNA and interprets the information that they each give. It then learns whether it should create a protein or a polypeptide.
3. Function
The RNA’s main role is to translate and act on the genetic information in DNA. It will figure out what amino acids the DNA needs, and then it will go and get those acids and form them into proteins. RNA is just as important as DNA. Neither would be able to do their job without the other.
4. Structure
RNA’s structure is similar to DNA but instead of being a double helix it is only one stranded, essentially looking like a half DNA. RNA is made up of ribose sugar and the bases; adenine, guanine, cytosine, and uracil. These bases are attached to the sugars, which are manipulated in different ways as the RNA gets older.
Differences Between DNA and RNA
1. Function
DNA and RNA are different in countless ways. One of the biggest is what their purpose is. DNA contains the “recipe” for proteins that make up all living things. RNA is what actually “cooks” these recipes. They go out and get all of the amino acids necessary to create the protein specified by the DNA molecule.
2. Structure
The structure of both DNA and RNA are also different. DNA is a double stranded molecule, that forms a curved ladder. This structure is also known as a double helix. RNA is essentially half of this. It is single stranded, but still has the “rungs” that DNA does.
3. Base Pairing
While both DNA and RNA contain adenine and cytosine bases, what they pair with is different. In DNA adenine pairs with thymine, which is not present in RNA. In RNA adenine links to uracil, which is absent in DNA.
4. Location
Where these molecules are found in cells are also different. DNA is in the nucleus and mitochondria of every cell. RNA is found in the nucleus, cytoplasm, and ribosome. This is due to its constant movements.
5. Life Cycle
DNA is self replicating and is continually making more of itself. RNA on the other hand is constantly being broken down and replaced. RNA is synthesized by DNA as it needs it.