Arn (ribonucleic acid) meaning (what it is, concept and definition)

What is RNA (ribonucleic acid):

RNA is the acronym for ribonucleic acid. It is a nucleic acid that is responsible for transferring the genetic information of DNA in order to synthesize proteins according to the indicated functions and characteristics.

RNA is present in the cytoplasm of eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells. Also, RNA is made up of a single strand that can sometimes be duplicated.

It is made up of linked nucleotides that form chains. Each nucleotide is made up of: a sugar (ribose), a phosphate group and 4 nitrogenous bases (adenine, guanine, uracil and cytosine).

RNA carries DNA genetic information for the synthesis of the necessary proteins. That is, the RNA copies the information from each gene in the DNA and then passes to the cytoplasm, where it joins the ribosome to direct protein synthesis.

RNA began to be studied in 1868 by Friedrich Miescher, he was also the first person to investigate DNA and promote the study of nucleic acids.

The international abbreviation is RNA for ribonucleic acid .

RNA types

In reference to the above, the interaction of various types of RNA in gene expression can be distinguished, among which we have:

• Messenger RNA (mRNA): known as coding RNA, it has the genetic code that determines the scheme of amino acids to form a protein; Transfer RNA (tRNA): it is in charge of bringing amino acids to ribosomes in order to incorporate them into the process of protein synthesis, it is also in charge of encoding the information that messenger RNA has to a sequence of proteins and, finally, RNA ribosomal (rRNA): it is part of the ribosomes and acts on the enzymatic activity, it is in charge of creating the peptide bonds between the amino acids of the polypeptide in the process of protein synthesis.

It is also worth mentioning ribozyme, which is a type of RNA with a catalytic function capable of carrying out its self-duplication when there is an absence of proteins.

This characteristic is of great importance, since it has to do with the hypothesis that RNA was one of the first forms of life, prior to DNA, and that it enabled the first cell to form, since it contains stored genetic information and can self-duplicate.

RNA and DNA

Between ribonucleic acid (RNA) and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) there are differences in their structure and function.

RNA groups its nucleotides into a single helix, while DNA groups them into a double helix. The nucleotides that make up the RNA are made up of ribose, a phosphate group and four nitrogenous bases: adenine, guanine, cytosine and uracil.

The nucleotides that make up DNA, on the other hand, are made up of deoxyribose, a phosphate group and four nitrogenous bases: adenine, guanine, cytosine and thymine, and it is always found in the nucleus.

In reference to its functions, DNA selects, stores and stores the genetic code. In turn, RNA transmits the genetic code stored by DNA, that is, it serves as a messenger.