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

4450 Views

See similar Biology A Level tutors

Related Biology A Level answers

All answers ▸

What are xylem and phloem in plants, and what do they do?


Explain the roles of the rough endoplasmic reticulum and the Golgi apparatus in protein trafficking and modification.


How is the cardiac cycle regulated by the heart itself?


How does the citric acid cycle work, and what is oxidative phosphorylation?


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