Compare DNA and RNA

Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA) both encode genetic information; however, there are many fundamental differences.

Firstly, the sugar backbone for RNA is ribose, while for DNA its deoxyribose, meaning one less oxygen atom (hence the name 'deoxy') on the 2' carbon. Next, DNA is a double stranded, anti-parallel right-handed helix, while RNA is a single stranded helix. The basepair compositions of the two are also different; DNA contains the nucleotides adenine, guanine, cytosine and thymine. RNA, however, contains uracil instead of thymine (uracil lacks a methyl group). 

Finally, the varying functions of the two nucleic acids highlights their differences the most. DNA stores and transfers genetic information, while RNA is a copy of a section of DNA, which acts as a communicator to ribosome and codes for amino acids. These will in turn be assembled in a specific order to make proteins.