What is the difference between DNA and mRNA?

DNA is much longer than mRNA and forms a chromosome, whereas mRNA is much shorter; corresponding to a single gene. DNA is structurally different; it is usually found as a double helix and contains the base thymine and the sugar deoxyribose, whereas mRNA is single stranded and contains the base uracil instead of thymine and ribose instead of deoxyribose. DNA is also more structurally complex, containing introns and extrons and other features that mRNA does not have.

CM
Answered by Charlotte M. Biology tutor

4859 Views

See similar Biology A Level tutors

Related Biology A Level answers

All answers ▸

State the advantage for a plant of having many different accessory pigments in the photosystem:


Explain the principles of PCR


State the difference between Apoplastic and symplastic pathways of water movement in plants


How is blood filtrated by the glomeruli in the kidneys?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning