RNA, like DNA, is able to encode genetic information on its long chains of nucleotides. Viruses sometimes utilize RNA instead of DNA for their genetic identification. Viruses are infectious agents that only replicate when inside of other living cells. More complex viruses tend to use DNA as their genetic material because it has a lower error-rate when replicating. RNA viruses have smaller genomes sizes because they segment their data, anticipating and reducing the change that an error will occur during replication.
While the chemical structures of RNA and DNA are quite similar, RNA does utilize ribose as its sugar compared to DNA, which uses deoxyribose. The sugar found on DNA has one less oxygen molecule (de means less, oxy means oxygen). DNA is more flexible as its moves than RNA, due to its lack of oxygen molecule. This explains RNA's role in smaller viruses and its susceptibility to error. Its complex twists take up more room than DNA's simpler double helix.
Nucleobases, informally "bases," are paired together on RNA and DNA. They help code each strand of genetic material and play a role in metabolism and energy sources through their sequencing of amino acids. RNA and DNA share three similar bases: adenine, cytosine and guanine. RNA completes its set of four with uracil. DNA completes its set of four with thymine. The uracil makes RNA a charged molecule, which breaks down cytosine. Similar cellular processes happen with thymine in DNA, ultimately breaking down synthesis and normal function.
The most notable difference between RNA and DNA is the strand structure. DNA is a double-helix, while RNA is single-stranded. This allows RNA to fold into complex arrangements, which correlates to its shorter chains of nucleotides. When RNA twists, it forms deep and narrow major grooves as well as wide and shallow minor grooves. Grooves provide an opportunity for other cells to bind to the structure. DNA's grooves are more consistently spaced, though they still allow for cell binding. DNA is a strong formation of bases held in stability by hydrogen bonds the interactions between the bases. Essentially, the energy of the bonds and bases help DNA maintain its structure so as not to fall apart.