Basis of differentiation

16s RNA

16s rDNA

Definition

Is a component of the small (30s) subunit of the prokaryotic ribosome

Encodes the 16s rRNA in prokaryotes

Number of strands

Single-stranded

Double-stranded

Composition

Composed of RNA molecules

Composed of DNA molecules

Presence of thymine bases

Are not present

Are present

Presence of uracil bases

Are present

Are not present

Mechanism

Binds to the Shine-Dalgarno sequence on mRNA to be translated

Carries out transcription to generate its gene product (16s rDNA)

Function

Assist the large and small ribosomal subunits come together by interacting with the 23S rRNA subunits

Identify prokaryotes