RNA and DNA contain different types of sugars. RNA contains ribose sugar, while DNA contains deoxyribose sugar.
Ribose is a five-carbon sugar that has a hydroxyl group (-OH) attached to the 2′ carbon. This makes RNA more reactive and less stable compared to DNA.
Deoxyribose, on the other hand, is also a five-carbon sugar but lacks the hydroxyl group at the 2′ carbon. Instead, it has a hydrogen atom (-H) at that position. This makes DNA more stable and less reactive than RNA.
These differences in sugar composition contribute to the distinct roles and functions of RNA and DNA in the cell. RNA is primarily involved in protein synthesis and gene regulation, while DNA stores and transmits genetic information.