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
• Function of RNA


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


  • mRNA (messenger RNA)
  • tRNA (transfer RNA)
  • rRNA (ribosomal RNA)
• mRNA


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


  • Much shorter than DNA
  • Single-stranded
  • Short-lived (quickly degraded)
• tRNA


  Transfers amino acids to the ribosome during protein synthesis
• tRNA


  • Single-stranded
  • Folds into a cloverleaf shape held by hydrogen bonds
  • Has an amino acid attachment site
• rRNA


  Combines with proteins to form ribosomes