Characteristics of RNA Flashcards
What are the three ways RNA is chemically distinct from DNA?
- RNA is single stranded
- RNA contains uracil instead of thymine
- pentose ring in RNA is ribose
Why is the RNA polymer less stable than DNA?
2’ hydroxyl can nucleophilically attack the backbone phosphate group of an RNA chain
What is the only coding type of RNA?
messenger RNA, mRNA
What is the function of mRNA?
carries genetic information to the ribosome where it can be translated into a protein
What is the main method through which cells regulate the amount of each particular protein they synthesize?
mRNA is constantly produced and degraded according to the cells need for protein encoded by each piece of mRNA
What is heterogenous nuclear RNA?
first RNA transcribed from DNA which is an immature precursor to mRNA
What processes are required to turn hnRNA into mRNA?
addition of cap and tail and splicing
What are the two most important noncoding RNA?
transfer RNA and ribosomal RNA
What is the definition of non-coding RNA?
functional RNA that is not translated into a protein
What is transfer RNA?
tRNA, responsible for translating the genetic code by carrying amino acids from the cytoplasm to the ribosome to be added to the growing protein
What is ribosomal RNA?
serves as a major component of the ribosome along with many polypeptide chains
How many types of rRNA are there?
four
What are ribozymes and what kind of noncoding RNA is a ribozyme?
catalytic RNA, rRNA
What is snRNA?
small nuclear RNA, molecules that associate with proteins to form snRNP complexes in the spliceosome
What are miRNA and siRNA?
microRNA and small interfering RNA, function in RNA interference
