Ribonucleic acid (RNA)

Definition

Ribonucleic acid (RNA) is a nucleic acid that plays crucial roles in coding, decoding, regulation, and expression of genes. It is typically single-stranded and composed of ribonucleotides.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. RNA contains the sugar ribose, unlike DNA which contains deoxyribose.
2. There are several types of RNA including messenger RNA (mRNA), transfer RNA (tRNA), and ribosomal RNA (rRNA).
3. mRNA serves as the template for protein synthesis during translation.
4. tRNA transports amino acids to the ribosome during protein synthesis.
5. rRNA is a key component of ribosomes and aids in protein assembly.

Review Questions

Related terms

DNA:

Deoxyribonucleic acid, a double-stranded molecule that stores genetic information.

Transcription:

The process by which mRNA is synthesized from a DNA template.

Translation:

The process where mRNA is decoded by ribosomes to produce a specific polypeptide or protein.