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The Structure and Function of DNA
and RNA
:
Major：

Instructor Biochemistry-
： Mr. Mohammed

Name ii M.
Due Dec 25,

Date: 2024

Group1 member’s NAME&ID 1)

NyabangTutLok------322/12 2)

SaronTamrat--------310/16 3)

SemiraAbdela-------- 110/12 4)

EtsubdinkGirum------ 312/16 5)

BereketGashaw-------300/16
 Table of
content
The Structure and Function of DNA and RNA
.................................................... 1
Introduction
..........................................................................................................
1 Function of DNA and RNA
............................................................................ 2 4 Key
Similarities..........................................................................................
.......4
Comparison Between DNA and
RNA.................................................................5
The Structure and Function of DNA and RNA: Real-World Applications
and Case
Studies....................................................................................................
...........6
Real-World Applications of DNA and RNA
.......................................................6 Case
Studies................................................................................................
.........
6
Summary
................................................................................................................
....7
Reference
................................................................................................................
...
8
The Structure and Function of DNA and
RNA
Introductio
n
DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid) and RNA (Ribonucleic Acid) are the fundamental
molecules of life that carry and execute genetic instructions. DNA serves as the
hereditary material in most organisms, encoding the blueprint for the
development, functioning, and reproduction of all living beings. RNA, on the
other hand, acts as the intermediary, translating DNA's genetic code into
proteins, which perform a wide range of structural and enzymatic functions
within cells. Together, DNA and RNA are central to the flow of genetic
information, often described as the "central dogma of molecular biology,"
which outlines the processes of replication, transcription, and translation.
DNA
Structure
 In 1953, James Watson and Francis Crick discovered the DNA structure.
 The structure of DNA is a double helix Hydrogen strand.
 The nitrogenous bases of the two separate poly nucleotide strands are
bound together, according to base pairing rules (A with T and C with G),
with hydrogen bonds to make double-stranded DNA. 1 unit of DNA can
 have a maximum number of 11 nitrogenous bases, but we cannot
determine the length of DNA. The distance between base pairs is 3.4
 Angstroms The total diameter of DNA is 20 Angstroms. The distance from

midpoint to tilt point of DNA is 10 Angstrom. The distance of 2 tilt of DNA
 is 34 Angstrom and the width of a single DNA thread is 2.8 Angstrom

RNA
Structure
 Ribonucleic acid (RNA) is a polymeric molecule essential in various

biological roles
in coding, decoding, regulation, and expression of genes. Ribonucleic acid
 (RNA),

unlike DNA, is usually single-stranded. A nucleotide in an RNA chain will

contain ribose (the five-carbon sugar), one of the four nitrogenous bases
(Adenine, Uracil, Guanine, or Cytosine), and a phosphate group- Purine
(guanine [G], adenine [A])) and Pyrimidine (Uracil and cytosine).

 Function of DNA and

RNA
DNA (Deoxyribonucleic
Acid):
a Genetic Information Storage: DNA stores the genetic blueprint for the
) development, functioning, and reproduction of organisms.

b Replication: DNA replicates itself to ensure that genetic information is

)
passed on during cell
division.
c Gene Expression: DNA serves as a template for RNA synthesis, which is
)
essential for
protein production.
d Mutation and Evolution: DNA mutations lead to genetic variation, which
)
drives evolution.
e Chromosome Formation: DNA organizes chromosom whic ensu prop
) into distribution of genetic material es, h re er

during cell division.

RNA (Ribonucleic
Acid):
1. Protein Synthesis: RNA translates genetic information from DNA into
transcription
proteins via and
translation.
 mRNAcarriesgeneticinstructionsfromDNAtoribosomes. 

tRNAhelpsassembleaminoacidsintoproteinsbasedonmRNA’scodons

.

rRNAformsthecorecomponentofribosomes,facilitatingproteinsynthe
2. Gene Regulation: RNA molecules like miRNA and siRNA regulate gene
controlling mRNA stability and
sis.
translation.
expression by
3. RNA Editing: RNA undergoes processing and modification to become mature
translati
mRNA for
on.
4. Some RNA molecules, like ribozymes, catalyze chemical reactions,
Catalysis: such as RNA
splicin
g.
5. Genetic Material in Some Viruses: In certain viruses, RNA carries genetic
instead
information
of DNA (e.g., retroviruses
like HIV).
Role in Cellular
Mechanics
DNA:

1 Genetic Storage: DNA stores the complete set of genetic instructions required
. for the development, functioning, and reproduction of an organism. Replication:
2 During cell division, DNA replicates to ensure each new cell receives an
. identical
3 copy of the genetic material.
. Template for RNA: DNA serves as a template for the synthesis of RNA during

transcription.
RNA:

1 Messenger RNA (mRNA) : Copies genetic instructions from DNA and carries them
. for protein synthesis. to ribosomes
2 Transfer RNA (tRNA): Plays a key role in translating the mRNA sequence into an
. amino acid sequence by bringing the correct amino acids to the ribosome.
3 Ribosomal RNA (rRNA): Combines with proteins to form ribosomes, which are
. the sites of
protein synthesis.
4
. Regulatory Functions: RNA molecules such as small interfering RNA (siRNA) and
microRNA (miRNA) regulate gene expression and can silence specific genes.
5
. Catalytic Role: Some RNA molecules, like ribozymes, have catalytic functions
(e.g., splicing
introns).
4 Key
Similarities
1 Both Are Nucleic : Composed of nucleotide monomers (sugar, phosphate
. Acids group, and
nitrogenous base).
2 Genetic Information Flow
: Both are critical for the central dogma of molecular
. → RNA → Protein. biology: DNA

3 Phosphodiester Bonds: Both have a sugar-phosphate backbone linked by

phosphodiester bonds. Base Pairing: Both involve complementary base pairing
.
(A-T/U, G-C) for replication and transcription processes.
4
.
 Comparison Between DNA and
RNA
Aspec DNA RNA

t
Functio Stores genetic Involved in protein
information synthesis
n
Transfersittooffsprin Regulatesgeneexpres

Structur g
Double- sion
Single-

e
Sugar stranded(doublehelix) stranded
Deoxyribose (lacks one oxygen atomRibose (contains an
comparedtoribos ato
Component e)
additional oxygen m)
Nitrogenous Adenine (A), Thymine (T), CytosineAdenine (A), Uracil (U),
Bases (C),Guanine(G) Guanine(
Cytosine (C), G)

Base ApairswithT,CpairswithG ApairswithU,CpairswithG

Pairing
Locatio Found mainly in the nucleus (someFound in the nucleus

n and cytoplasm
in mitochondria)
Stabilit Highly stable; resistan toLess stable; prone to enzymatic
y degradatio degradati
n on
t
Role i Protei Blueprint for RNA
Synthes n n (transcriptio mRNA,tRNA,andrRNA
n) )
synthesisTranslatesgeneticcodeintoproteins(via
is
Type Onemaintype Multipletypes:mRNA,tRNA,rRNA,
and non-coding RNAs
s
Replicatio Self-replicatesduringcelldivision

n
Catalytic SynthesizedfromDNA(transcription)
None SomeRNAs(ribozymes)haveenzy

Activity matic
functions
Real-World Applications and Case
Studies
 Real-World Applications of DNA and
RNA
A.

Medicine
B.

Forensics
C.

Agriculture
D.

 Case
Biotechnology

Studies
1 mRNA Vaccines: The rapid development of COVID-19 mRNA vaccines
. showcased RNA technology’s potential, saving millions of lives. This
approach is being adapted for diseases like HIV and cancer.

2 CRISPR and Sickle Cell Anaemia: In a landmark case, Victoria Gray’s sickle
.
cell
anaemia was successfully treated using CRISPR, editing her defective gene
to produce
3 DNA Forensics: The "Golden State Killer" was caught using DNA matched
. healthy blood cells.
with
genealogical databases, highlighting DNA's power in solving cold cases.
4 RNA in Agriculture: Virus-resistant papayas developed via RNA interference
.
saved
Hawaii’s papaya industry, showing how RNA can secure food supplies.
 Summar
y
DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid) and RNA (Ribonucleic Acid) are essential
molecules in genetics, governing the storage, expression, and transmission of
genetic information. Together, they form the foundation of the "central dogma
of molecular biology" (DNA → RNA → Protein).
 DNA
Structure
DNA is a double helix composed of nucleotides with a deoxyribose sugar,
phosphate backbone, and nitrogenous bases (A, T, C, G). It is highly stable,
capable of replication, and forms chromosomes to ensure genetic information
is passed during cell division. Key structural parameters include a 20-angstrom
diameter and complementary base pairing (A-T, C-G).
 RNA
Structure
RNA is single-stranded, with ribose sugar and nitrogenous bases (A, U, C, G). It
is less stable than DNA and functions in decoding genetic information for
protein synthesis. Types of RNA include mRNA (messenger), tRNA (transfer),
and rRNA (ribosomal), each critical for gene expression and regulation.

 Functions of DNA and

RNA
 DNA: Stores genetic information, replicates during cell division, and serves as a
template for RNA synthesis. It also contributes to genetic variation and
 evolution. RNA: Functions in protein synthesis (via mRNA, tRNA, and rRNA),
regulates genes (e.g., miRNA, siRNA), and catalyzes reactions (ribozymes). In
certain viruses, RNA acts as the genetic material (e.g., HIV).

 Application
s
1 Medicine: mRNA vaccines (e.g., for COVID-19) and CRISPR gene therapy (e.g.,
. curing sickle cell anemia). Forensics: DNA fingerprinting solves crimes, as seen
2 in the "Golden State Killer" case.
. Agriculture: RNA interference saved Hawaii’s papaya industry by creating virus-
3 resistant crops.
.
Referenc
e:1) “DNA”.
Wikipedia,thefreeencyclopedia.2017.Accessed13Feb.2017
2) “RNA”

.Wikipedia,thefreeencyclopedia.2017.Accessed13Feb.2017
3) WhatisDNA?”.

GeneticsHomeReference.2017.Accessed13Feb.2017
4) Mandal A. “What is RNA?”. NEWS MEDICAL LIFE SCIENCES. 2013.
Feb.
2017
Accessed 13
5) Watson, J. D., & Crick, F. H. (1953). Molecular Structure of Nucleic
171(4356), 737-738.
Acids. Nature,
Alberts, B., et al. (2015). Molecular Biology of the Cell (6th ed.).
6) Lodish,H.,etal.
(2021).MolecularCellBiology(9thed.).W.H.Freeman.
Garland Science.