RNA, or ribonucleic acid, is a molecule that plays a crucial role in various biological processes, particularly in protein synthesis and gene regulation. It is similar to DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) but differs in structure and function in several ways.
RNA consists of a single strand of nucleotides, each composed of a sugar (ribose), a phosphate group, and one of four nitrogenous bases: adenine (A), cytosine (C), guanine (G), and uracil (U). Unlike DNA, RNA contains uracil instead of thymine and has a ribose sugar instead of deoxyribose.
RNA serves as a messenger molecule, carrying genetic information from DNA to the ribosomes, where proteins are synthesized through the process of translation. There are several types of RNA molecules involved in protein synthesis, including messenger RNA (mRNA), transfer RNA (tRNA), and ribosomal RNA (rRNA).
Additionally, RNA can also perform other functions in the cell, such as catalyzing biochemical reactions (ribozymes), regulating gene expression (microRNAs, long non-coding RNAs), and playing a role in various cellular processes, including RNA interference (RNAi) and post-transcriptional modification.