![]() ![]() The ncRNA can be subdivided into several different types, depending either on the length of the RNA or on the function. ![]() RNA can largely be divided into two types, one that carries the code for making proteins or coding RNA, which is also called messenger RNA (mRNA), and non-coding RNA (ncRNA). (b) Although it is single stranded, RNA can fold upon itself, with the folds stabilized by short areas of complementary base pairing within the molecule, forming a three-dimensional structure. (b) RNA contains the pyrimidine uracil in place of thymine found in DNA.įigure from: Parker, et al (2019) Microbiology from Openstaxįigure 10.2 Structural Comparison of DNA and RNA (a) DNA is typically double stranded, whereas RNA is typically single stranded. Even though RNA is single stranded, most types of RNA molecules show extensive intramolecular base pairing between complementary sequences within the RNA strand, creating a predictable three-dimensional structure essential for their function (Figures 10.1 and 10.2).įigure 10.1 RNA Structural Elements (a) Ribonucleotides contain the pentose sugar ribose instead of the deoxyribose found in deoxyribonucleotides. The RNA-specific pyrimidine uracilforms a complementary base pair with adenine and is used instead of the thymine that is found in DNA. The subtle structural difference between the sugars gives DNA added stability, making DNA more suitable for storage of genetic information, whereas the relative instability of RNA makes it more suitable for its more short-term functions. A ribonucleotide within the RNA chain contains ribose (the pentose sugar), one of the four nitrogenous bases (A, U, G, and C), and a phosphate group. However, whereas DNA molecules are typically long and double stranded, RNA molecules are much shorter and are typically single stranded. Structurally speaking, ribonucleic acid (RNA), is quite similar to DNA. ![]()
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