Summary
Highlights
DNA is typically double-stranded, forming a double helix, while RNA is usually single-stranded.
DNA is significantly larger than RNA, containing millions of nucleotides, whereas RNA consists of hundreds to tens of thousands of nucleotides.
DNA contains deoxyribose sugar, which has a missing oxygen atom on its second carbon. RNA, on the other hand, contains ribose sugar, which has an oxygen atom attached to its second carbon.
DNA is primarily found in the cell's nucleus, with some also present in the mitochondria. RNA is mainly located in the cytoplasm and ribosomes, although some can be found in the nucleus.
Both DNA and RNA have four nitrogenous bases. DNA has adenine, guanine, cytosine, and thymine. RNA has adenine, guanine, cytosine, and uracil, replacing thymine with uracil.