RNA structure and function

• RNA


  A polymer made up of nucleotides
• Nucleotide


  The monomer that RNA is made up of, containing a ribose sugar, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base (adenine, guanine, cytosine, or uracil)
• Ribose sugar


  • A pentose sugar with 5 carbon atoms
• Nitrogenous bases in RNA

  • Adenine
  • Guanine
  • Cytosine
  • Uracil
• The 'r' in RNA stands for ribose
• RNA is similar in structure to DNA, but with ribose instead of deoxyribose, and uracil instead of thymine</b>
• Function of RNA


  To copy and transfer genetic information, and to combine with proteins to create ribosomes
• Types of RNA


  • mRNA
  • tRNA
  • rRNA
• mRNA


  A copy of one gene in DNA, used to code for a specific protein
• mRNA


  • Much shorter than DNA, single-stranded, and short-lived
• tRNA


  Transfers amino acids to the ribosome during protein synthesis
• tRNA


  • Single-stranded, folds into a cloverleaf shape held by hydrogen bonds
• rRNA


  Combines with proteins to form ribosomes
• Differences between DNA and RNA monomers

  • DNA contains thymine, RNA contains uracil
  • DNA contains deoxyribose, RNA contains ribose
• Differences between DNA and RNA polymers

  • DNA is much longer, containing all genes
  • RNA is shorter, only containing a copy of one gene
  • DNA is double-stranded, RNA is single-stranded