What is the structure of RNA described as?
What is the structure of RNA described as?
Like DNA, each RNA strand has the same basic structure, composed of nitrogenous bases covalently bound to a sugar-phosphate backbone (Figure 1). However, unlike DNA, RNA is usually a single-stranded molecule. RNA consists of four nitrogenous bases: adenine, cytosine, uracil, and guanine.
What is the simple definition of RNA?
Ribonucleic acid (RNA) is a molecule similar to DNA. Unlike DNA, RNA is single-stranded. An RNA strand has a backbone made of alternating sugar (ribose) and phosphate groups.
What is RNA in own words?
RNA stands for ribonucleic acid. Like DNA, RNA is a nucleic acid, which means it is made of a phosphate, a sugar, and nitrogen bases. RNA consists of one long strand of sugars and phosphates and the nitrogen bases, which form base pairs.
What best describes the structure of RNA?
RNA molecules form a double helix modeled after the DNA from which they are encoded. RNA molecules are single stranded but they commonly form localized secondary structures by forming covalent bonds between regions of the molecule.
What is RNA structure and function?
RNA, abbreviation of ribonucleic acid, complex compound of high molecular weight that functions in cellular protein synthesis and replaces DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) as a carrier of genetic codes in some viruses. The nitrogenous bases in RNA are adenine, guanine, cytosine, and uracil, which replaces thymine in DNA.
What is an example of RNA?
Examples of small RNAs are transfer RNA (tRNA), 5S ribosomal RNA (rRNA), microRNA (miRNA), small interfering RNA (siRNA), small nucleolar RNA (snoRNA), Piwi-interacting RNA (piRNA), tRNA-derived small RNA (tsRNA), and small rDNA-derived RNA (srRNA). mRNA is an example of RNA that codes for a protein.
What is the structure and function of RNA?
The primary function of RNA is to create proteins via translation. RNA carries genetic information that is translated by ribosomes into various proteins necessary for cellular processes. mRNA, rRNA, and tRNA are the three main types of RNA involved in protein synthesis.
How is RNA important?
RNA–in this role–is the “DNA photocopy” of the cell. In a number of clinically important viruses RNA, rather than DNA, carries the viral genetic information. RNA also plays an important role in regulating cellular processes–from cell division, differentiation and growth to cell aging and death.
Can you live without RNA?
It’s the first time this has been done and the results reinforce the possibility that life could evolve without DNA or RNA, the two self-replicating molecules considered indispensible for life on Earth.
What does RNA usually consist of?
RNA consists of ribose nucleotides (nitrogenous bases appended to a ribose sugar ) attached by phosphodiester bonds, forming strands of varying lengths. The nitrogenous bases in RNA are adenine , guanine , cytosine , and uracil, which replaces thymine in DNA.
What are the features in RNA?
RNA resembles the same as that of DNA, the only difference being that it has a single strand unlike the DNA which has two strands and it consists of an only single ribose sugar molecule in it. Hence is the name Ribonucleic acid. RNA is also referred to as an enzyme as it helps in the process of chemical reactions in the body.
What is RNA made up of?
Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA) are made up of nucleic acids found in the nuclei of living cells.
What are the bases in RNA?
A Nitrogenous Base