Describe the difference between DNA and RNA.

The distinction between DNA and RNA is fundamentally rooted in their structure and function within biological systems. DNA, or deoxyribonucleic acid, is characterized by being double-stranded, forming a stable helical structure that encodes the genetic blueprint of an organism. Its backbone is made up of deoxyribose sugars, which lack an oxygen atom that is present in the ribose sugars found in RNA.

In contrast, RNA, or ribonucleic acid, is typically single-stranded and plays various roles in the cell, including acting as a messenger carrying instructions from DNA for controlling the synthesis of proteins. The presence of ribose in RNA instead of deoxyribose contributes to its overall structural differences, making RNA more versatile but less stable than DNA.

These characteristics highlight the crucial roles they play in genetics and cellular processes, with DNA serving primarily as a long-term storage mechanism for genetic information, while RNA is more involved in translating that information into functional proteins. This understanding emphasizes the significance of the structural differences between the two nucleic acids in their respective biological functions.