ribonukleiinihappomolekyylejä

Ribonukleiinihappo, commonly known as RNA, is a nucleic acid essential for the synthesis of proteins and the regulation of gene expression. It is a single-stranded molecule composed of a chain of nucleotides. Each nucleotide consists of a ribose sugar, a phosphate group, and one of four nitrogenous bases: adenine (A), guanine (G), cytosine (C), or uracil (U). Uracil replaces thymine, which is found in DNA.

There are several types of RNA, each with distinct roles. Messenger RNA (mRNA) carries genetic information transcribed from DNA in the nucleus to the ribosomes in the cytoplasm, where it serves as a template for protein synthesis. Transfer RNA (tRNA) molecules bring specific amino acids to the ribosome during protein synthesis, matching them to the codons on the mRNA. Ribosomal RNA (rRNA) is a structural component of ribosomes and plays a catalytic role in protein synthesis. Other non-coding RNAs, such as microRNAs and small interfering RNAs, are involved in regulating gene expression by targeting specific mRNA molecules. RNA's versatility allows it to participate in a wide range of cellular processes beyond protein synthesis, including viral replication and catalytic functions as ribozymes.