Messenger RNA (mRNA)

Definition

mRNA is a type of RNA that carries genetic information from the DNA in the nucleus to the cytoplasm, where it serves as a template for protein synthesis.

Related terms

Transcription:

The process by which genetic information is copied from DNA to mRNA.

Codon:

A sequence of three nucleotides on an mRNA molecule that corresponds with a specific amino acid or stop signal during protein synthesis.

Translation:

The process by which the genetic code carried by mRNA is decoded to produce the specific sequence of amino acids in a polypeptide chain.