RNA

RNA is a nucleic acid built from ribose sugars, phosphate groups, and nitrogenous bases. It carries genetic information and performs structural, catalytic, regulatory, and coding functions in cells.

Ribonucleotide: A molecular unit of RNA consisting of ribose, phosphate, and one nitrogenous base. Ribonucleotides are the repeating units joined to form RNA strands.
Transcription: The synthesis of RNA from a DNA template by RNA polymerase. Transcription produces RNA copies of selected genetic sequences.
Messenger RNA: An RNA molecule that carries protein-coding information from DNA to ribosomes. It is the RNA type translated into a protein sequence.
RNA world hypothesis: The hypothesis that early life relied on RNA for both genetic information and chemical catalysis. RNA’s combination of information storage and catalytic ability motivates this origin-of-life model.
DNA–RNA differences: The chemical and functional distinctions between DNA and RNA, including their sugars, bases, stability, and typical roles. These differences explain why cells use RNA for many tasks beyond permanent information storage.
Ribose: A five-carbon sugar found in RNA and other biological molecules. Its hydroxyl group distinguishes RNA’s sugar backbone from DNA’s.
RNA polymerase: An enzyme that synthesizes RNA by joining ribonucleotides using a nucleic-acid template. This enzyme builds most cellular RNA during transcription.
Transfer RNA: An RNA molecule that delivers a specific amino acid to a ribosome during translation. Its anticodon pairs with messenger RNA while its attached amino acid enters a growing protein.
Ribozyme: An RNA molecule that catalyzes a chemical reaction. Ribozymes show that RNA can perform a role usually associated with proteins.
Deoxyribose: A five-carbon sugar in DNA that lacks ribose’s hydroxyl group at the 2′ carbon. The missing hydroxyl makes DNA’s sugar backbone more resistant to hydrolysis.

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