What Is RNA?

RNA stands for ribonucleic acid. RNA belongs to the same class of molecules as DNA ~ deoxyribonucleic acid. While DNA stores the genetic information of the cell, the RNA is a copy of that information that is used by the cell to make proteins.

During the process of translation, the DNA double helix splits apart and a copy is made of the code within it in the form of an RNA molecule. This single stranded molecule, called messenger RNA, passes out of the nucleus of the cell and into the cytoplasm. It is picked up by another form of RNA, called transfer RNA and this takes the messenger RNA to a ribosome.

The ribosome uses the code in the messenger RNA molecule to decipher the genetic code and build a protein from one of the genes.

There is also a third type of RNA ~ ribosomal RNA and these makes up 65% of a ribosome ~ the other 35% is protein.