Final answer:
DNA is the long-term storage of genetic information in a double-helical structure, while RNA is chiefly involved in protein synthesis, existing most often in a single-stranded form with a role in translating genetic information into proteins.
Step-by-step explanation:
RNA and DNA are both crucial nucleic acids in cells, but they serve different functions and have distinct structures. DNA, or deoxyribonucleic acid, carries the genetic blueprint of an organism and passes it on through generations. It is composed of two strands that form a double helix, with nucleotides containing the bases adenine (A), guanine (G), cytosine (C), and thymine (T). In contrast, RNA, or ribonucleic acid, is typically single-stranded and plays various roles in protein synthesis. RNA's nucleotides contain the sugar ribose and replace thymine with uracil (U).
The main types of RNA include messenger RNA (mRNA), which carries the genetic code from DNA to the ribosome for protein assembly; transfer RNA (tRNA), which brings the appropriate amino acids to the growing protein chain; and ribosomal RNA (rRNA), which, along with proteins, makes up the ribosome. These different structures and components result in DNA being primarily responsible for long-term storage of genetic information, and RNA being primarily responsible for interpreting that information to produce proteins.