Types & Functions of RNA
There are three types of RNA that can be made, and
each of them has a special role in protein synthesis.
- mRNA. "m" stands for "messenger." Messenger
RNA is the RNA that actually carries the information
for protein synthesis (in the form of a nucleotide sequence).
- rRNA. "r" stands for "ribosomal." Ribosomal
RNA interacts with the cell's ribosomes to make them
functional. What exactly the rRNA does is unclear, but
if there's no rRNA associated with the ribosomes, the
ribosomes don't work.
- tRNA. "t" stands for "transfer." Transfer
RNA carries amino acids from the cytoplasm to the ribosome
during protein synthesis.
Replication and transcription occur in the nucleus.
But the translation (protein synthesis) occurs in the
cytoplasm of the cell.
The three types of RNA must leave
the nucleus and enter the cytoplasm in order for protein
synthesis to take place.
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