3 RNA: structure, types, function, RNA vs DNA

Question 1

RNA structure

Answer 1

Ribonucleic acid (RNA)

• typically single stranded
• made of ribonucleotides that are linked by phosphodiester bonds
• contains ribose as its pentose sugar
• contains the pyrimidine uracil instead of thymine
• RNA strand can undergo significant intramolecular base pairing to take on a three-dimensional structure.

Question 2

RNA 3 types and functions
Messenger RNA (mRNA):

Answer 2

Messenger RNA (mRNA):
- serves as the intermediary between DNA and the synthesis of protein products during translation.

(Although RNA is not used for long-term genetic information in cells, many viruses do use RNA as their genetic material.)

Question 3

RNA types and functions

- Ribosomal RNA (rRNA):

Answer 3

Ribosomal RNA (rRNA):

• is a type of stable RNA, major constituent of ribosomes. - ensures the proper alignment of the mRNA and the ribosomes during protein synthesis
• catalyzes the formation of the peptide bonds between two aligned amino acids during protein synthesis.

Question 4

RNA types and functions

-Transfer RNA (tRNA)

Answer 4

Transfer RNA (tRNA)

• is a small type of stable RNA
• carries an amino acid to the corresponding site of protein synthesis in the ribosome.
• the base pairing between the tRNA and mRNA allows for the correct amino acid to be inserted in the polypeptide chain which is synthesized

Question 5

DNA vs RNA

structure

Answer 5

DNA

• B-form double helix
• double-stranded molecule consisting of a long chain of nucleotides

RNA

• A-form helix
• single-strand helix consisting of shorter chains of nucleotides.
• RNA sometimes forms a secondary double helix structure, but only intermittently.

Question 6

DNA vs RNA

function

Answer 6

DNA

• Long-term storage of genetic information;
• transmission of genetic information to make other cells and new organisms.

RNA

• Used to transfer the genetic code from the nucleus to the ribosomes to make proteins.
• used to transmit genetic information in some organisms

Question 7

DNA vs RNA

Composition of Bases and Sugars

Answer 7

DNA

• deoxyribose sugar
• phosphate backbone
• adenine, guanine, cytosine, thymine bases

RNA

• ribose sugar
• phosphate backbone
• adenine, guanine, cytosine, uracil bases

Question 8

DNA vs RNA

Stability

Answer 8

DNA
- The C-H bonds in DNA make it fairly stable, plus the body destroys enzymes that would attack DNA.

RNA
- The O-H bond in the ribose of RNA makes the molecule more reactive, compared with DNA.