Where is DNA found in the cell, and where is RNA found in the cell?

What this question is testing

You are being asked to compare where the two nucleic acids, DNA and RNA, are located inside cells. The key idea is that DNA is stored and protected, while RNA is made from DNA and then used for protein synthesis.

DNA location (eukaryotes vs prokaryotes)

• Eukaryotic cells (plants, animals, fungi): DNA is stored mainly in the nucleus as chromosomes. Some DNA is also found in energy-related organelles: mitochondria, and in plants and algae, chloroplasts.
• Prokaryotic cells (bacteria, archaea): there is no nucleus. DNA is located in the nucleoid region in the cytoplasm (plus small DNA circles called plasmids in many bacteria).

RNA location and why it is more spread out

RNA is produced by transcription and then often moves to where proteins are assembled.

• In the nucleus (eukaryotes): RNA is made from DNA (transcription) and processed.
• In the cytoplasm: RNA is common because ribosomes are in the cytoplasm (or on the rough ER), and translation happens there. Ribosomal RNA (rRNA) forms part of ribosomes, and messenger RNA (mRNA) and transfer RNA (tRNA) work there too.

Quick memory cue

• DNA: "stays" in the storage area (nucleus in eukaryotes).
• RNA: "travels" to the protein-making area (cytoplasm and ribosomes).