Is RNA double-stranded like DNA or single-stranded?

DNA is generally double-stranded and RNA is generally single-stranded (though both can exist in either form).

What is the difference between single-stranded DNA and RNA?

DNA is a double-stranded molecule, while RNA is a single-stranded molecule. DNA is stable under alkaline conditions, while RNA is not stable. DNA and RNA base pairing is slightly different since DNA uses the bases adenine, thymine, cytosine, and guanine; RNA uses adenine, uracil, cytosine, and guanine.

What is the difference between single and double-stranded DNA?

ssDNA has only one strand of nucleotides while dsDNA has two complementary strands of nucleotides bonding together by hydrogen bonds. Thus, this is the key difference between ssDNA and dsDNA. Moreover, almost all living organisms contain dsDNA while only few viruses contain ssDNA.

Are there any differences between the two new double stranded pieces of DNA?

DNA is made differently on the two strands at a replication fork. One new strand, the leading strand, runs 5′ to 3′ towards the fork and is made continuously. The other, the lagging strand, runs 5′ to 3′ away from the fork and is made in small pieces called Okazaki fragments.

Why does RNA not need a double helix?

DNA was chemically more stable than RNA so it was possible to maintain greater length of DNA in comparison to RNA. RNA has hydroxyl group (OH) present on the 2′ carbon. This hydroxyl group invites hydrolysis reaction and so it was not possible to maintain long length RNA molecule.

Why is RNA not double stranded?

Unlike DNA, RNA in biological cells is predominantly a single-stranded molecule. While DNA contains deoxyribose, RNA contains ribose, characterised by the presence of the 2′-hydroxyl group on the pentose ring (Figure 5). This hydroxyl group make RNA less stable than DNA because it is more susceptible to hydrolysis.

Why can’t you see the double helix in DNA extraction?

Under a microscope, the familiar double-helix molecule of DNA can be seen. Because it is so thin, DNA cannot be seen by the naked eye unless its strands are released from the nuclei of the cells and allowed to clump together.