Component 1: Nucleic acids
Ribonucleic acid (RNA)
The structure of RNA
There are three types of RNA and all are involved in the process of protein synthesis:
Ribonucleic acid (RNA)
The structure of RNA
- RNA is a single stranded polymer of nucleotides
- RNA contains the pentose sugar ribose
- RNA contains the nitrogenous bases adenine, guanine, cytosine, and uracil (in place of thymine)
There are three types of RNA and all are involved in the process of protein synthesis:
- messenger RNA (mRNA) is a long single-stranded molecule formed into a helix. It is manufactured in the nucleus and carries the genetic code from the DNA to the ribosomes in the cytoplasm.
- ribosomal RNA (rRNA) is found in the cytoplasm and is a large, complex molecule made up of both double and single helices. RRNA is made in the nucleolus inside the nucleus. Synthesis of new proteins in the cell occurs on ribosomes which are made up of both rRNA and protein.
- transfer RNA (tRNA) is a small single stranded molecule. It forms a clover-leaf shape, with one end of the chain ending in a cytosine-cytosine-adenine sequence at which point the amino acid it carries attaches itself. At the opposite end of the chain is a sequence of three bases called the anticodon. tRNA molecules bring amino acids to the ribosome so that proteins can then be synthesised.
Action 1. Draw the different types of RNA
2. Construct a table of differences between DNA and RNA