ribosomal RNA

American  

noun

Biochemistry.

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

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ribosomal RNA British  

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

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ribosomal RNA Scientific  

/ rī′bə-sō′məl /

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

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Etymology

Origin of ribosomal RNA

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

Example Sentences

Ribosomal RNA is often modified with chemical tags that can alter the shape and function of the ribosome.

From Science Daily

These molecular structures create proteins and are themselves made of proteins and ribosomal RNA.

From Science Daily

These targets mostly involve guiding modifications for ribosomal RNA and small nuclear RNA involved in mRNA splicing.

From Science Daily

With so many redundant copies, when the insertion disrupts one or a few ribosomal RNA genes, the loss of the genes won't be missed.

From Science Daily

All of these stubby arms huddle together to form a structure called the nucleolus, in which DNA is transcribed into ribosomal RNA, which then folds into the ribosomal machinery that makes proteins.

From Science Daily