The RNA (Ribonucleic Acid)

Structure of ribonucleic acid

(Ribonucleic acid) is similar to the DNA of a nucleotide strand. It is of central importance in protein biosynthesis (transcription and translation).

A single nucleotide consists of a phosphate acid residue, a ribose (monosaccharide with 5 C atoms -> pentose), and an organic base. These may be adenine, cytosine, guanine or uracil. Compared to DNA, thymine in RNA is thus replaced by uracil.

As a rule, the ribonucleic acid consists of only one strand. This is mainly due to their function. During transcription, the DNA is transcribed (transferred) to the messenger RNA and read again in translation for the synthesis of proteins. The process works so effectively and economically, because the RNA has only one strand compared to the DNA on which all the information is included. Because of the complementarity of the bases, the sequence of the genetic code is also firmly determined on the single-stranded RNA.

Selection of different RNA variants (list not exhaustive)

 - mRNA (messenger RNA) transports the genetic information from the cell nucleus to the ribosomes, the site of protein biosynthesis

 - tRNA (transfer RNA) transports amino acids from the cytoplasm to the ribosomes (does not encode genetic information!)

 - rRNA (ribosomal RNA) is responsible for the construction of ribosomes (does not encode genetic information!)

Summary

RNA consists of a polynucleotide strand and is important for the transcription and translation of the DNA.

There are many different types of RNA, not all of which are responsible for transmitting genetic information.