RNAkæder

RNAkæder, often referred to as RNA strands or RNA chains, are fundamental biological molecules essential for a wide range of cellular processes. They are linear polymers composed of repeating nucleotide subunits. Each nucleotide consists of a phosphate group, a ribose sugar, and one of four nitrogenous bases: adenine (A), guanine (G), cytosine (C), or uracil (U). The bases are linked to the ribose sugar, which is then linked to the phosphate group, forming a phosphodiester bond that connects successive nucleotides, creating the backbone of the RNA chain.

Unlike DNA, RNA typically exists as a single-stranded molecule. However, these single strands can fold upon themselves, creating complex three-dimensional structures through complementary base pairing (A with U, and G with C). This structural diversity is crucial for RNA's varied functions.

The primary roles of RNAkæder include messenger RNA (mRNA), which carries genetic information from DNA to ribosomes for protein synthesis; transfer RNA (tRNA), which deciphers the mRNA code and delivers specific amino acids to the ribosome; and ribosomal RNA (rRNA), a structural and catalytic component of ribosomes. Beyond these core roles, various non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are involved in gene regulation, RNA processing, and other cellular functions. The synthesis of RNAkæder from a DNA template is known as transcription.