RNA Structure and Function Quiz

Study Notes

RNA Structure and Composition

RNA is a single-stranded nucleic acid molecule composed of nucleotides, each consisting of a sugar molecule, a nitrogenous base, and a phosphate group.
The nitrogenous bases in RNA are adenine (A), guanine (G), cytosine (C), and uracil (U).
The sugar molecule in RNA is ribose, which has an additional hydroxyl group (-OH) compared to deoxyribose, the sugar found in DNA.
The nucleotides in RNA are linked by phosphodiester bonds, which connect the 3′ carbon of one nucleotide to the 5′ carbon of the next nucleotide.

RNA Functions

RNA plays a key role in protein synthesis, gene regulation, and information transfer.
In protein synthesis, RNA serves as an intermediate between DNA and proteins.
DNA contains the genetic information that encodes the sequence of amino acids in a protein, but it cannot directly interact with ribosomes. RNA can interact with ribosomes and carry the genetic code from DNA to the ribosomes, where proteins are synthesized.

RNA Types

There are three main types of RNA: messenger RNA (mRNA), transfer RNA (tRNA), and ribosomal RNA (rRNA).
mRNA carries the genetic information from DNA to the ribosomes, where it is translated into a sequence of amino acids to form a protein.
tRNA plays a critical role in the translation process by carrying amino acids to the ribosome, where they are added to the growing protein chain.
rRNA forms the structural and functional core of ribosomes, where it catalyzes the formation of peptide bonds between amino acids to assemble a protein.

Transcription

Transcription takes place in the nucleus and is a biological process wherein a segment of the DNA is copied to mRNA.
During transcription, a strand of mRNA is made that is complementary to a strand of DNA.
The strand of DNA that is used to synthesize mRNA is known as the template strand or Active strand (3'-----5'). The other strand is called the non-template or inactive strand (5'-----3').

RNA Processing

The transcribed RNA is known as the pre-mRNA and is processed further to convert it into mature RNA.
RNA processing includes capping, polyadenylation, and splicing.
Capping involves the addition of a methylated guanine cap to protect the mRNA.

Gene Regulation

RNA also plays a crucial role in gene regulation.
Various types of non-coding RNA molecules, such as microRNA (miRNA), small interfering RNA (siRNA), and long non-coding RNA (lncRNA), regulate gene expression by binding to mRNA and blocking translation, initiating degradation, or promoting transcription by interacting with DNA or other proteins in the gene regulatory network.

Description

Test your knowledge on the structure and function of Ribonucleic Acid (RNA), including its role in protein synthesis and cellular processes. Learn about the composition of RNA nucleotides and the nitrogenous bases adenine, guanine, cytosine, and uracil.