Structurally, DNA and RNA are nearly identical. As mentioned earlier, however,
there are three fundamental differences that account for the very different
functions of the two molecules.
- RNA is a single-stranded nucleic acid.
- RNA has a ribose sugar instead of a deoxyribose sugar like DNA.
- RNA nucleotides have a uracil base instead of thymine.
Other than these differences, DNA and RNA are the same. Their phosphates,
sugars, and bases show the same bonding patterns to form nucleotides and their
nucleotides bind to form nucleic acids in the same way.