frustrated_staff t1_j6mp9h3 wrote on January 31, 2023 at 12:45 PM

The ELI5 answer is that DNA is the architect and RNA is the builder, but to be a little above ELI5. DNA is the blueprint from which everything is copied from or to. RNA is the copy machine. When DNA needs to copied, it's RNA that comes in and attaches to the open DNA molecule (one side only) matching it's pairs to the DNA before moving off. Once in place, bits and pieces attach to the RNA until the DNA strand is complete and BOOM: new DNA.

ScienceIsSexy420 t1_j6mv7wj wrote on January 31, 2023 at 1:37 PM

RNA is not the copy machine, RNA is the copy that the machine makes! The copy machine is the enzyme RNA polymerase ;)