dsDNA is the double stranded DNA whereas ssDNA is the single stranded DNA, and although both of them carry genetic material they have a number of differences (Table 1).
| Feature | dsDNA | ssDNA |
| Abundance | Almost all organisms | Very few viruses (e.g. φX174) |
| Shape | Linear or filamentous | Stellate or star shaped |
| Stability | More stable | Less stable |
| A : T ratio | 1 | ≤0.77 |
| G : C ratio | 1 | 1.3 |
| Chargaff’s rule | Follows | Does not follow |
| Reaction to formaldehyde | Resistant | Highly susceptible |
| Purine : Pyrimidine ratio | 1 | Variable |