ribosomal RNA

noun

Biochemistry.

1. a type of RNA, distinguished by its length and abundance, functioning in protein synthesis as a component of ribosomes. rRNA

ribosomal RNA

noun

1. Sometimes shortened to: rRNA. biochem a type of RNA thought to be transcribed from DNA in the nucleoli of cell nuclei, subsequently forming the component of ribosomes on which the translation of messenger RNA into protein chains is accomplished

ribosomal RNA

1. The RNA that is a structural component of a ribosome. Comparison of gene sequences of the ribosomal RNA of different organisms has been used to determine evolutionary relationships among the organisms.

2. See more at RNA

Word History and Origins

Origin of ribosomal RNA¹

First recorded in 1960–65; ribosome + -al ¹