When we compare DNA and RNA nucleotides, there are some really interesting differences! Let’s break it down simply:

1. Sugar Type:

   • DNA: The sugar in DNA is called deoxyribose. It doesn’t have one oxygen atom that ribose has, which makes DNA a little more stable.
   • RNA: The sugar in RNA is called ribose, and it has that extra oxygen. This small change makes RNA less stable and more active.

2. Nitrogenous Bases:

   • Both DNA and RNA use three of the same bases: adenine (A), cytosine (C), and guanine (G).
   • DNA: It also has thymine (T) as one of its bases.
   • RNA: Instead of thymine, RNA uses uracil (U). This difference is important because it affects how our genes are read.

3. Structure:

   • DNA: It usually forms a double helix shape, which looks like a twisted ladder. This shape is really important for storing genetic information.
   • RNA: It is typically single-stranded, which allows it to change shapes and do different jobs, like sending messages from DNA to proteins.

In short, these differences in sugar type, bases, and structure are super important for how DNA and RNA work in our cells. They team up to make sure genetic information is carefully stored and shared!