Question

1. read each characteristic and determine if it describes dna, rna, or both. place a check mark in column(s) the characteristic best describes.

characteristic	dna	rna
contains deoxyribose sugar	√
type of nucleic acid	√	√
double - stranded	√
single - stranded		√
stays in the nucleus	√
moves into the cytoplasm		√
made up of nucleotides
contains uracil
contains guanine
contains adenine
contains genetic code
carries instructions for making proteins

Explanation:

1. contains ribose sugar: RNA's sugar component is ribose, DNA uses deoxyribose.
2. contains deoxyribose sugar: DNA's sugar component is deoxyribose, RNA uses ribose.
3. type of nucleic acid: Both DNA and RNA are classified as nucleic acids.
4. double-stranded: DNA is typically a double-stranded molecule; most RNA is single-stranded.
5. single-stranded: Most RNA molecules are single-stranded; DNA is double-stranded.
6. stays in the nucleus: In eukaryotes, DNA is confined to the nucleus (with some in mitochondria/chloroplasts).
7. moves into the cytoplasm: RNA is synthesized in the nucleus and travels to the cytoplasm for protein synthesis.
8. made up of nucleotides: Both DNA and RNA are polymers composed of nucleotide monomers.
9. contains uracil: Uracil is a nitrogenous base unique to RNA; DNA uses thymine instead.
10. contains guanine: Guanine is a nitrogenous base present in both DNA and RNA.
11. contains adenine: Adenine is a nitrogenous base present in both DNA and RNA.
12. contains genetic code: DNA stores the primary genetic code; some viral RNA also carries genetic code, but cellular DNA is the main repository.
13. carries instructions for making proteins: DNA holds the instructions, and mRNA (a type of RNA) carries the transcribed instructions to ribosomes, so both are involved.

Answer:

Characteristic	DNA	RNA
contains deoxyribose sugar	✓
type of nucleic acid	✓	✓
double-stranded	✓
single-stranded		✓
stays in the nucleus	✓
moves into the cytoplasm		✓
made up of nucleotides	✓	✓
contains uracil		✓
contains guanine	✓	✓
contains adenine	✓	✓
contains genetic code	✓	✓
carries instructions for making proteins	✓	✓