DNA and RNA

DNA

DNA, short for Deoxyribose nucleic acid, is the chemical that is found inside the nucleus of the cells of all organisms. It carries the vital genetic codes that dictate how an organism will grow and shape. Each DNA molecule consists of two long strands that are wrapped around each other. Because of this, the DNA structure resembles a double spiral "staircase" or a helix. An actual microscope photo of a DNA stand is shown in the below figure:

Each rung of the DNA ladder is composed of two substances, known as bases, which lock together. All in all, there are four different types of bases, and together they create four different kinds of rungs. The exact DNA sequencing of these rungs makes up a cell’s chemical information. This DNA information is vital since it shapes the cell’s development and regulates every single detail of how a cell should work. DNA contains chemical information known as genes. These genes are individual instructions in the code that tells the body’s cells how to produce new proteins.

DNA replicates before cell division so that a full set of DNA information is given to each new cell. During cell division, DNA molecules tighten up to form chromosomes. These chromosomes undergo a series of events and eventually replicate so that each new cell will have the same genetic information found in the originals, and the newly-formed cells will function the same way as those of the parent cells.

RNA
In order to better understand what Ribonucleic Acid (RNA) is, it is first important to know what is happening inside an organism’s cell.

Inside every living cell, the actual process of creating new proteins undergoes several different steps and the instructions for these steps are contained in the nucleus of the cells. However, the proteins themselves are synthesized outside the nucleus, in an area known as the cytoplasm. This means that the cells must have a way to relay the information contained in the nucleus towards the cytoplasm. As it turns out, cells utilize a special molecule known as the messenger RNA to transcribe the genetic code found inside the nucleus.

RNA is very similar to DNA, Deoxyribonucleic acid, which contains the vital genetic information of the cell. RNA, when compared to DNA, has only a single strand and has a ribose sugar instead of the deoxyribose sugar. Furthermore, the base of the RNA is Uracil instead of Thymine which is found in DNA. RNA is produced by the RNA polymerase enzyme. This enzyme is responsible for RNA synthesis.

Whenever new proteins are needed by the cell, it sends a chemical signal to the nucleus which causes a gene for that protein to be 'switched on'. When this happens, the DNA codes are copied to the messenger RNA in the process known as genetic transcription. After the codes have been copied, the messenger RNA carries the information to the ribosome which is responsible for the protein synthesis. The messenger RNA then releases the codes to the transfer RNA which eventually translates the codes in the right order inside the ribosome.

Once the code is being translated in the ribosome and the required protein is synthesized, a mechanism known as RNA interference takes place, turning off the gene so it doesn't send more messenger RNA to the ribosome.

DNA and RNA

DNA and RNA are two different nucleic acids found in the cells of every living organism. Both have significant roles to play in cell biology. DNA and RNA structure are similar because they both consist of long chains of nucleotide units. However, there are a few structural details that distinguish them from each other, and if you are to compare DNA and RNA, these would be the results:

(1) RNA is single-stranded while DNA is a double-stranded helix.

(2) RNA also has uracil as its base while the DNA base is thymine. However, even with the differences in their structures, DNA and RNA have cooperating roles in the field of Cell Biology.

DNA contains the genetic information of an organism, and this information dictates how the body’s cells would construct new proteins according to the genetic code of the organism. Within the cell structure, DNA is organized into structures called chromosomes, which are duplicated during cell division.

These chromosomes would then release the genetic codes that will be transcribed and carried by the RNA (specifically the messenger RNA) to the ribosome. The ribosome will then synthesize new proteins that will help the body grow. This is the how the DNA and RNA work together in the body.