DNA and RNA

DNA or deoxyribonucleic acid stores the genetic information for every living organism on the planet. It can also copy it and pass it from generation to generation. DNA and RNA are both nucleic acids that consist of long chains called nucleotides. These nucleotides are joined by a covalent bond formed between the sugar of one nucleotide and the phosphate of the next. The four nucleotides found in DNA are Thymine (T) and Cytosine (C) which are single ringed structures known as Pyrimidines, and Adenine (A) and Guanine (G) which are double ringed structures known as Purines. RNA (also known as ribonucleic acid) is different from DNA because the sugar in it is ribose instead of deoxyribose. Another difference is that instead of using Thymine like DNA does, RNA uses a nitrogenous base called Uracil (U.)

Biology Concepts and Connections - Chapter 10: Molecular Biology of the Gene - pages 184 - 185 - Jane B. Reece; Jean L. Dickey; Martha R. Taylor; Kelly Hogan; Eric J. Simon; Neil A. Campbell.

http://www.astrochem.org/sci_img/dna.jpg

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