Structure of RNA Flashcards
What are the three primary types of RNA?
mRNA, tRNA, rRNA
What is the function of messenger RNA (mRNA)?
Carries genetic information from the nucleus to the ribosomes
What is the structure of mRNA?
Single strand complementary to one strand of DNA
What nucleotide does RNA contain instead of thymine?
Uracil
How does adenine in DNA interact with RNA?
Adenine pairs with uracil
What happens to mRNA after it is used to make a protein?
It is degraded
What is the primary role of transfer RNA (tRNA)?
Transports amino acids to the ribosome
How many nucleotides are typically in a tRNA chain?
70 to 90 nucleotides
What does each tRNA molecule carry?
One amino acid
What is the anticodon in tRNA?
A specific sequence of three nucleotides complementary to a codon on mRNA
What type of structure does tRNA form?
Folded structure due to hydrogen bonding
What are the main components of a ribosome?
rRNA and proteins
What percentage of ribosomes is made up of rRNA?
65 percent
What is the size comparison between rRNA and tRNA?
rRNA is considerably larger than tRNA
What is the molecular weight observed for rRNA?
One million Daltons
What is the significance of rRNA in ribosomes?
It forms the structure of ribosomes and is critical for protein synthesis
Fill in the blank: mRNA carries genetic information from the DNA to the _______.
ribosome
True or False: tRNA is a single strand that does not fold.
False
What is the backbone of tRNA made of?
Alternating phosphate group and pentose groups
What is the role of tRNA in protein synthesis?
Transfers amino acids to the growing polypeptide chain
In summary, what do RNA molecules permit?
The synthesis of proteins
