Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Ribonucleic acid (RNA) is a polymeric molecule essential in various biological roles, including coding, decoding, regulation, and expression of genes. It is typically single-stranded and composed of ribonucleotides linked by phosphodiester bonds.
5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test
RNA contains the sugar ribose, unlike DNA which contains deoxyribose.
There are three main types of RNA involved in protein synthesis: messenger RNA (mRNA), transfer RNA (tRNA), and ribosomal RNA (rRNA).
Uracil replaces thymine as one of the four nitrogenous bases in RNA.
RNA can act as a catalyst in biological reactions; such catalytic RNAs are known as ribozymes.
RNA is synthesized from DNA by the process of transcription.