RNA

American  

Genetics.

1. ribonucleic acid: any of a class of single-stranded molecules transcribed from DNA in the cell nucleus or in the mitochondrion or chloroplast, containing along the strand a linear sequence of nucleotide bases that is complementary to the DNA strand from which it is transcribed: the composition of the RNA molecule is identical with that of DNA except for the substitution of the sugar ribose for deoxyribose and the substitution of the nucleotide base uracil for thymine.

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RNA British  

noun

1. biochem ribonucleic acid; any of a group of nucleic acids, present in all living cells, that play an essential role in the synthesis of proteins. On hydrolysis they yield the pentose sugar ribose, the purine bases adenine and guanine, the pyrimidine bases cytosine and uracil, and phosphoric acid See also messenger RNA transfer RNA ribosomal RNA DNA

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RNA Scientific  

/ är′ĕn-ā′ /

1. Short for ribonucleic acid. The nucleic acid that is used in key metabolic processes for all steps of protein synthesis in all living cells and carries the genetic information of many viruses. Unlike double-stranded DNA, RNA consists of a single strand of nucleotides, and it occurs in a variety of lengths and shapes. RNA also differs from DNA in having the pyrimidine base uracil instead of thymine and in having ribose instead of deoxyribose in its sugar-phosphate backbone. In eukaryotes, RNA is produced in the cell nucleus.

2. ◆ Messenger RNA is RNA that carries genetic information from the cell nucleus to the structures in the cytoplasm (known as ribosomes) where protein synthesis takes place.

3. ◆ Ribosomal RNA is the main structural component of the ribosome.

4. ◆ Transfer RNA is RNA that delivers the amino acids necessary for protein synthesis to the ribosomes.

5. Compare DNA

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RNA Cultural  

1. One of a group of molecules similar in structure to a single strand of DNA. The function of RNA is to carry the information from DNA in the cell's nucleus into the body of the cell, to use the genetic code to assemble proteins, and to comprise part of the ribosomes that serve as the platform on which protein synthesis takes place.

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Usage

What is RNA? RNA is a large, complex molecule (macromolecule) that functions alongside DNA to help cells make proteins.DNA is a macromolecule that allows cells to function and carries the genetic code that determines the traits of a living organism. Among other things, RNA works with DNA to make proteins, which are required for many essential functions within living things. During this process, RNA acts as a kind of copy of the DNA that carries its genetic information outside of the cell nucleus.RNA also carries the genetic information of many viruses.RNA stands for ribonucleic acid. Like DNA, RNA is a nucleic acid, which means it is made of a phosphate, a sugar, and nitrogen bases.RNA consists of one long strand of sugars and phosphates and the nitrogen bases, which form base pairs. The result resembles a ladder with just one side. By comparison, DNA has two long strands of sugars and phosphates, with the base pairs between them, making it look like a spiraled ladder (a double helix). RNA has three of the same nitrogen bases found in DNA—adenine (A), guanine (G), and cytosine (C). Instead of thymine (T), though, RNA has uracil (U).DNA contains the instructions that cells need to make proteins. An enzyme in the cell nucleus, known as RNA polymerase, unspirals the DNA and breaks the ladder in half down the middle. The enzyme then reads the nitrogen bases (the rungs of the ladder) and makes RNA in a process known as transcription. The RNA sequence matches the sequence from the DNA strand except that in RNA, adenine is paired with uracil instead of thymine, and the sugar deoxyribose is substituted with ribose.There are three major kinds of RNA. Messenger RNA (mRNA) is created from a DNA template in the nucleus and then carries the genetic code to structures called ribosomes in the cytoplasm (the middle layer of the cell between the nucleus and the membrane), where it specifies the amino acid sequence for protein synthesis. Ribosomal RNA (rRNA) is a part of ribosomes that allows messenger RNA to function. Transfer RNA (tRNA) transports specific amino acids to ribosomes during protein synthesis.We took a microscopic look at the differences between RNA, mRNA, and DNA, and their vital roles. Read all about it here!

Etymology

Origin of RNA

First recorded in 1945–50

Compare meaning

How does rna compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• DNA vs. RNA

Example Sentences

Using single-nucleus RNA sequencing on white adipose tissue from older mice, the researchers also found reduced activity in genes associated with age-related inflammation.

From Science Daily

If that test is positive, a follow-up PCR test checks for viral RNA to confirm an active infection.

From Science Daily

This method makes it possible to sequence RNA from individual cells, revealing which genes are active in each cell type.

From Science Daily

An mRNA vaccine uses messenger RNA to get your cells to make a piece of a virus that is harmless.

From The Wall Street Journal

To examine this structure, the research team used an RNA labeling technique called RNAscope together with high-resolution microscopy.

From Science Daily