which structural characteristic is seen in rna but not in dna?

which structural characteristic is seen in rna but not in dna?

Answer:

Single-stranded structure is a feature seen only in RNA but not in DNA.

RNA mostly exists in the form of a single strand while DNA is in the form of twined strand. This structural differentiation, suggests pathways of functional/behavioural divergence between these two nucleic acids.

Because of this feature, RNA can fold on itself and take other structures or conformations known as secondary and tertiary structures. For example, RNA could favour some conformations namely- hairpin loops and stem-loop structures which are essential for RNA activity in the cell. These structures are vital in the biological functions that involve gene regulation, and catalysis among other functions that are associated with RNA.

Again, unlike DNA, RNA is single-stranded and is used in various functions that are diversified from that of DNA which is to transmit genetic information. The two strands held by the base pairing afford the DNA more stability and also a means by which it will conveniently replicate.

The other great advantage of this single-stranded macromolecule is that RNA can interact much more with other particles. For example, RNA can complement with DNA and other RNA which is significant in mechanisms such as transcription and translation. This makes RNA play a role between the DNA and proteins in the central dogma of molecular biology.

The document contains other points that describe other differences between RNA and DNA for instance, the use of uracil instead of thymine is more common in RNA than in DNA but as far as structure is concerned, there is only one defining feature of RNA over DNA and this is the fact that RNA is single-stranded while DNA is double-stranded.