The Function of DNA & RNA
- Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA) are both types of nucleic acid
- DNA and RNA are both found in all living cells
- DNA and RNA are both needed to build proteins, which are essential for the proper functioning of cells
- DNA and RNA are both important information-carrying molecules, although their functions are slightly different
DNA
- The function of DNA is to hold or store genetic information
- DNA is the molecule that contains the instructions for the growth and development of all organisms
RNA
- The function of RNA is to transfer the genetic code found in DNA out of the nucleus and carry it to the ribosomes in the cytoplasm
- Ribosomes are where proteins are produced - they ‘read’ the RNA to make polypeptides (proteins) in a process known as translation
