Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA)
- DNA is an organic chemical that contains genetic information and instructions for protein synthesis.
- DNA is a key part of reproduction in which genetic heredity is passed down through DNA from parents to offspring.
Ribonucleic Acid (RNA)
- RNA is a nucleic acid principally involved in the synthesis of proteins, carrying the messenger (ex: mRNA) instructions from DNA, which itself contains the genetic instruction
Differences Between DNA And RNA
| DNA | RNA |
| It has a deoxyribose and phosphate backbone having four distinct bases: Adenine, Cytosine, Guanine & Thymine (ACGT). | It has a ribose and phosphate backbone with four bases: Adenine, Cytosine, Guanine& Uracil (ACGU). |
| Found in the cell nucleus and Mitochondria. | Found in the Cytoplasm, nucleus, and Ribosome. |
| Has 2-deoxyribose. | Has Ribose. |
| A double-stranded molecule with a long chain of nucleotides. | A single-stranded molecule with a shorter chain of nucleotides. |
| Self-replicating | Synthesize from DNA when required. |
DNA Profiling
- DNA profiling is the process where a specific DNA pattern, called a profile, is obtained from a person or sample of bodily tissue.
- It is a forensic technique in criminal investigations, comparing criminal suspects’ profiles to DNA evidence so as to assess the likelihood of their involvement in the crime.
Recombinant-DNA (R-DNA) Technology
- R-DNA is a “genetic engineering” technology used for producing Artificial DNA through the combination of different genetic materials from different sources.