How Does RNA Differ From DNA

1) How does RNA differ from DNA?

RNA is different from DNA in many ways. Firstly, DNA is double stranded whereas RNA is only a single strand. The sugar present in RNA is ribose whereas it is deoxyribose (one more OH) in DNA. Also, Bases in RNA are A, U, C, G (adenine, uracil, cytosine, guanine) whereas bases in DNA are A, T, C, and G (adenine, thymine, cytosine, guanine). Where DNA contains genetic material, RNA copies the material and helps to synthesize it into protein. Also, DNA has deoxyribose sugar and RNA has ribose sugar.

2) Name and discuss at least three things RNA do in the cell, based on what you learned in the video and the tutorials.

RNA makes protein and acts as a carrier of information. There are 3 types of RNA which perform

Therefore, the bonds formed are of different strengths. Guanine-Cytosine forms the strongest bond, Adenine-Uracil forms next bond which is not as strong as G-C and not s weak as U-G, it has medium strength. The weakest bonds are formed by Uracil-Guanine.

5) How does placing a strong bond or a weak bond affect the folding of an RNA molecule?

Usually the strongest bonds i.e. G-C are placed on the end of loops to form strong bonding between them as the brighter the bond between bases, the stronger will be the connection. Strongest bonds should always be put at the weakest points in the molecule to make a solid strong bond. Placing a weak bond at weak points in molecule would not result in the shape that we look for.

6) How does the folding of an RNA molecule affect its function?

Function of RNA is based on its shape and folding. Some shapes form DNA and some bind pieces of proteins together. Folding of RNA is affected by the cellular environment and factors like proteins, metabolites also modulate the fate of an RNA. Proteins, ligands and other molecules recognize tertiary folding in RNA which results in biochemical pathways that affects cellular metabolism. Some RNA molecules bind up to form DNA, some cut up RNA and some bond pieces of protein together. So, if a molecule of RNA forms a shape of DNA then it would perform function of DNA i.e.

It works by destroying the molecular messengers that carry viral information into cell’s protein factories. Cells make a protein called Dicer which looks for double stranded RNA and dices it up. It uses these chopped pieces as weapons against the virus. Then, if viruses tend to attack the cell, these RNAi molecules check all the protein assembly instructions against the chopped ones and anything that matches, cell slices it up and defeats against that virus.

9) How does RNA interference help scientists study genes?

RNAi is a mechanism that inhibits gene expression at the stage of translation or by hindering the transcription of specific genes. Scientists use the mechanism of RNA interference to turn off one gene at a time so that they can study its effect on the cell and the organism. RNAi can be exploited artificially too inhibit the expression of any gene. Therefore, by eliminating a particular gene would give an indication of that gene’s function. For example- turning off a gene in a flower can lead to change in color of its petals.

10) In a couple of paragraphs, reflect on what you thought of the NOVA RNA Lab. You could discuss the following: What did you learn? Why do you think this game was created? How might this kind of crowd-sourced research game help in the fight against diseases, and how might it enable us to learn about the many functions of actual