What are the differences between dsDNA and ssDNA?

Question

Accepted Answer

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).
Table 1. Differences between dsDNA and ssDNA.

Feature
dsDNA
ssDNA

Abundance
Almost all organisms
Very few viruses (e.g. &phi;X174)

Shape
Linear or filamentous
Stellate or star shaped

Stability
More stable
Less stable

A : T ratio
1
&sim;0.77

G : C ratio
1
1.3

Chargaff&rsquo;s rule
Follows
Does not follow

Reaction to formaldehyde
Resistant
Highly susceptible

Purine : Pyrimidine ratio
1
Variable

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

Related questions