Final answer:
DNA and RNA are both nucleic acids made up of nucleotides, but their functions in a cell are different. DNA carries the genetic blueprint and passes it onto offspring, while RNA, being less stable, is crucial for short-term functions such as protein synthesis and regulation.
Step-by-step explanation:
DNA and RNA are both types of nucleic acids that are comprised of monomers known as nucleotides. These nucleotides combine with each other to form a polynucleotide, DNA or RNA, and each nucleotide is made up of three components: a nitrogenous base, a pentose (five-carbon) sugar, and a phosphate group.
However, DNA and RNA have different functions in a cell. The primary function of DNA is to carry the cell's genetic blueprint and pass it on from parents to offspring. It is a double-stranded polynucleotide with a stable structure that makes it suitable for long-term storage of genetic information.
On the other hand, RNA is a single-stranded polynucleotide mainly involved in protein synthesis and regulation. Different types of RNA molecules, such as messenger RNA (mRNA), ribosomal RNA (rRNA), and transfer RNA (tRNA), play crucial roles in the process of protein synthesis. RNA, due to its relative instability compared to DNA, is more suitable for its short-term functions.
Learn more about DNA and RNA functions