Polymer formed from covalently linked ribonucleotide monomers.

abbreviation for ribonucleic acids: transfer-RNA, ribosomes, m-RNA

a single-stranded nucleic acid made up of nucleotides. Messenger RNA (mRNA) is involved in the transcription of genetic information and the production of new proteins.

macromolecule composed of a single chain of nucleotides (single strand) resulting from the transcription (copy) of DNA.

a type of nucleic acid which contains ribose, phosphate, and bases that contain nitrogen. Cellular forms include ribosomal RNA, messenger RNA and transfer RNA. It is also the genetic material in some viruses, e.g. HIV.

A nucleic acid molecule similar to DNA but containing ribose rather than deoxyribose.

A polymer of nucleotides connected via a sugar-phosphate backbone. It plays an important role in protein synthesis and other chemical activities in cells.

a molecule with similar structure to DNA that is involved in a number of cell activities, especially protein synthesis. Some viruses have RNA as their genetic material. [CUB

A single-stranded molecule composed of nucleotide sequences that is similar to the double-stranded DNA. In cells, RNA transmits the code that instructs the cells' chemical machinery to produce structural proteins and enzymes. The RNA segments in the cells represent copies of portions of the DNA sequences in the nucleus. In retroviruses, RNA is the sole repository of the viral genes.

A polymer of ribonucleic acids that functions in the coding, storage, transfer and translation of genetic information.

A chemical found in the nucleus and cytoplasm of cells; it plays an important role in protein synthesis and other chemical activities of the cell. The structure of RNA is similar to that of DNA. There are several classes of RNA molecules, including messenger RNA, transfer RNA, ribosomal RNA, and other small RNAs, each serving a different purpose.

takes genetic instructions from DNA and directs various metabolic activities of the cell.

A molecule that serves as an intermediate step in the synthesis of proteins from instructions coded in DNA; some RNA molecules also perform regulatory functions in cells and viruses.

a long single-stranded chain of bases which encodes a copy of the information in a gene. RNA uses U (uracil) instead of T (thymine).

There are several types of RNA. Messenger RNA is a copy of a stretch of DNA, a gene, that is transcribed into RNA, which is used by cells as a template for making a protein from individual amino acids. A second form of RNA, transfer RNA, carries the amino acid to the site at which it combines with other amino acids to make the complete protein.

Ribo-Nucleic Acid. Plays a role in transferring information from DNA to the protein-forming system of the cell. Some viruses, like HCV, have a genome of RNA.

a nucleic acid, found mostly I the cytoplsm of cells, that is important in the synthesis of the proteins.

a molecule, similar to DNA, which carries information into the cell from DNA to synthesize proteins.

an acid that is found in all living cells and is essential for the manufacture of proteins according to the instructions carried by genes.

Genetic material within cells necessary for transmission of genetic information for replication and function.

A chemical that is similar in structure to DNA. One of its main functions is to translate the genetic code of DNA into structural proteins.

A protein that purifies harmful antibodies; it is a cell renewal that enhances cellular energy.

A messenger molecule which copies the information from DNA (which is housed in the nucleus), and transports the code outside the nucleus to cellular machinery which reads the code and puts together a long chain of amino acids (called a "protein"). The RNA molecule is very similar to DNA.

A complex molecule present in all living cells. The information from the DNA is first transcribed into pieces of messenger RNA and then other forms of RNA synthesize the encoded protein. Retroviruses carry their genetic material in RNA.

Polymer composed of a repeating backbone of phosphate and sugar subunits to which different bases are attached: adenine (A), cytosine (C), guanine (G), and uracil (U). The sugar backbone of RNA is composed of ribose subunits. RNAs can be distinguished by their different properties: mRNA, tRNA, scRNA, snRNA, and rRNA.

a complex molecule that is found in the cell cytoplasm and nucleus. One function of RNA is to direct the building of proteins.

Ribose nucleic acid. RNA is transcribed (made) from DNA, and encodes proteins. RNA is similar to DNA, however is single stranded and contains the nucleotide Uracil in place of Thymine in DNA. It may encode polypeptides, help to build them from amino acids, and forms the genetic material in some viruses rather than DNA, which is thought to have evolved from RNA.

RNA contains molecular knowledge and can sometimes implement molecular knowledge. Messenger RNA (mRNA), transfer RNA (tRNA), and ribosomal RNA (rRNA) help cells use the knowledge contained in DNA to build proteins.

A single-stranded nucleic acid containing ribose instead of deoxyribose. Messenger RNA (mRNA) is formed on and complementary to its DNA template and directs the translation of a gene into a protein.

A single-stranded nucleic acid involved in protein synthesis. The structure of RNA is determined by DNA.

Type of genetic material present in all living cells, where its role is in the synthesis of proteins from the DNA template. RNA is also the genetic material of RNA viruses (including retroviruses).

a nucleic acid that governs protein synthesis in a cell.

ribo nucleic acid, a chemical structure that is related to DNA, but has only one strand and a somewhat different chemical composition. RNA performs a variety of functions in the cell and can act as a messenger to carry the genetic code from the DNA to other parts of the cell. RNA can also serve as the genetic material of some viruses.

a single stranded and similarly structured compliment to DNA produced when the DNA strand and its genes are “read” during transcription. The RNA strand will eventually be converted in translation to proteins, which influence and determine the characteristics and biological processes of an organism (Ford, 1997). Note that there are three major types of RNA: ribosomal RNA (rRNA), transfer RNA (tRNA), and messenger RNA (mRNA).

Genetic material, normally single stranded. Composed of four types of bases : Adenine (A), guanine (G), uracil (U) and cytosine (C).

A single-stranded nucleic acid containing the bases A, C, G and U and having an important role in protein synthesis and other chemical activities of the cell. There are several classes of RNA molecules, including messenger RNA, transfer RNA, ribosomal RNA, and other small RNAs, each serving a different function

Single-stranded nucleic acid, the primary function of RNA in a cell is the step between DNA and protein synthesis. RNA is a component of telomerase and is responsible for acting as a template on which the telomere repeats are made.

RNA is a genetic material similar to DNA. It often acts as a 'message' that is delivered to cells, prompting them to change and prepare for reproduction.

A complex protein that copies instructions for new protein production from the DNA genetic blueprints in the cell's nucleus, and carries those instructions to the cell's polyribosomes, where the new proteins are produced from materials available.

A chemical similar to DNA. The four bases contained within RNA are adenine, uracil, cytosine, and guanine (A,U,C,G). Adenine forms base pairs with uracil in RNA (as opposed to thymine in DNA). RNA also has a different type of sugar than DNA. RNA molecules are absolutely essential for protein synthesis and the cell's reading of the genetic code.

A single stranded nucleic acid (may fold back on itself to form double­stranded regions), having ribose as sugar and uracil rather than thymine as one of its bases.

A nucleic acid similar to DNA. In cells, RNA decodes the genetic instructions for synthesising proteins. In some viruses RNA is the genetic material.

Single-strand nucleic acid found mainly in the nucleolus and ribosomes. Contains ribose and uracil, whereas DNA contains 2-deoxyribose and thymine.

A molecule chemically similar to DNA that plays a central role in protein synthesis. The structure of RNA is similar to that of DNA but it is inherently less stable. There are several classes of RNA molecule, including messenger RNA (mRNA), transfer RNA (tRNA), ribosomal RNA (rRNA), and other small RNAs , each serving a different purpose.

Any of various nucleic acids that contain ribose and uracil as structural components and are associated with the control of cellular chemical activities. RNA can exist in several forms, e.g. messenger RNA, ribosomal RNA or transfer RNA.

a molecule which can carry genetic information in a similar way to DNA.

A chemical found in the nucleus and cytoplasm of cells; it plays an important role in protein synthesis. It has a similar structure to DNA . There are several classes of RNA molecules , including messenger RNA , transfer RNA , ribosomal RNA and other small RNA's, each serving a different purposes.

A molecule similar in structure to DNA which transmits genetic information from DNA to other parts of the cell, and controls certain chemical processes within the cell. Click here to return to list

A molecule similar to DNA that is responsible for translating the genetic code into proteins.

genes: produce RNA molecules with special properties and effects, rather than expressing a protein, which is what most genes do.

Short for ibo ucleic cid. A genetic molecule like DNA, RNA plays many roles in the cell, some of which are only beginning to be understood. RNA is composed of four nucleic acids, adenine, cytosine, guanine and uracil, which are connected with a “backbone” of sugar and phosphate molecules. RNA generally exists in single strands instead of in a double helix like DNA. In certain viruses, the genome is encoded in RNA rather than DNA. ( see also)

a single-stranded molecule composed of chemical building blocks, similar to DNA. The RNA segments in cells represent copies of portions of the DNA sequences in the nucleus. RNA is the sole genetic material of retroviruses.

A molecule similar to DNA that functions primarily to decode trace amounts of substances. Such tests are useful in biomedical research to study how drugs interact with their receptors.

A nucleic acid, found in both the nucleus and cytoplasm of cells, that transmits genetic instructions from the nucleus to the cytoplasm.6 RNA is the genetic material carried by HIV and other retroviruses.4

A nucleic acid similar to DNA. There are a number of types of RNA, the major ones being messenger RNA, transfer RNA and ribosomal RNA. RNA can serve as a messenger between DNA and proteins, as a structural molecule, as an enzyme and as regulators of gene expression. In some viruses RNA is the genetic material. For more information see Introduction to RNA and its functions (University of Newfoundland, Canada).

a single-stranded nucleic acid which consists of ribose sugar, phosphate groups, and the bases adenine, uridine, guanine, and cytosine. Common forms of RNA include messenger RNA (mRNA), transfer RNA (tRNA), and ribosomal RNA (rRNA) - all involved in protein synthesis - as well as several small RNA species, the functions of which are still under investigation.

Molecule similar to DNA that functions primarily to decode the instructions that genes carry for protein synthesis.

single-stranded nucleic acid (similar to double-stranded DNA) containing the bases adenine (A), cytosine (C), guanine (G), and uracil (U). The different forms include messenger RNA (mRNA), transfer RNA (tRNA), and ribosomal RNA (rRNA), which are all part of making protein.

A DNA-like organic molecule that consists of nucleotide subunits--such as adenine, guanine, cytosine, and uracil--which contain ribose sugars linked through phosphodiester bonds. Different types of RNA function in the process of gene expression.

ribo-nucleic acid; a polymer composed of ribinucleotides: uracil (U), adenine (A), guanine (G), and cytosine (C), joined by phosphodiester bonds. For a protein to be made from a gene a working copy of the gene is made from RNA. The RNA is read by the ribosome, which 'translates' it into protein. Some RNA molecules are capable of serving as enzymes, catalyzing chemical reactions.

A nucleic acid using ribose. Various classes of RNA are involved in the transcription and translation of genetic information. RNA serves as the genetic storage material in some viruses.

Single stranded nucleic acid molecules which differ from DNA by the presence of sugar ribose instead of desoxyribose. Further the thymine base is substituted by uracile in RNA. There are different types of RNA in a cell, the most important are: mRNA, messenger RNA: the matrix for protein biosynthesis tRNA, transfer RNA: tRNAs connect to amino acids (components of proteins), take them to the place where the protein biosynthesis happens and provide them for the process of incorporation. Each of the 20 amino acids owns at least one tRNA, most of them more. rRNA, ribosomal RNA: part of the ribosomes where protein biosynthesis happens.

A single-stranded molecule composed of nucleotide sequences. It is similar in basic structure to half of the double-stranded DNA. In cells, RNA transmits the code from the DNA-based genes that instruct the cells' chemical machinery to produce structural proteins and enzymes. In retroviruses, RNA is the sole repository of the viral genes.

A long-chain, usually single-stranded. The primary function of RNA is protein synthesis within a cell. However, RNA is involved in various ways in the processes of expression and repression of hereditary information. The three main functionally distinct varieties of RNA molecules are: (1) messenger RNA (mRNA) which is involved in the transmission of DNA information, (2) ribosomal RNa (rRNA) which makes up the physical machinery of the synthetic process, and (3) transfer RNA (tRNA) which also constitutes another functional part of the machinery of protein synthesis.

a nucleic acid, similar to DNA, that has roles in gene expression.

A molecule chemically similar to DNA, involved in the readout of information stored in DNA.

A chemical similar to DNA from which proteins are made. Unlike DNA, RNA can leave the nucleus of the cell.

RNA is very similar to DNA. However, RNA function is different from that of DNA. It is involved in processing the information from the DNA to make proteins.

A molecule which plays an important role in protein synthesis and other chemical activities of the cell. RNA is composed of nucleotides and is very similar to DNA in structure. There are several different types of RNA. See also: DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) See also: Nucleotide See also: Protein

A long linear polymer of nucleotides found mainly in the cytoplasm of a cell that transmits genetic information from DNA to the cytoplasm and controls certain chemical processes in the cell.

A strand of nucleotides (chemical building blocks) that transmit genetic information. RNA performs the same functioning in retroviruses that DNA does in viruses.

A nonrandom polymer of four types of bases (A, C, G, U) synthesized as complementary to a gene. One class of RNAs (mRNA) mediates the translation of the sequence of bases in the gene into a sequence of bases in protein. Other classes of RNA participate in cellular functions in complexes with protein.

Complex protein chemical in genes that determines the type of life form into which a cell will develop.

A single-stranded nucleic acid (similar to the double-stranded nucleic acid DNA) involved in protein synthesis.

A nucleic acid that helps synthesize protein in the cells. A-B-C | D-E-F | G-H-I-J | K-M-N | P-Q-R | S-T-U pina bifida: A neural tube defect in which the fetus' backbone does not fuse together properly. Also called open spine.

Similar to DNA in structure. The many types of RNA serve important roles in protein synthesis. RNA is a nucleic acid containing the sugar ribose.

A nucleic acid that is found in the cytoplasm and also in the nucleus of some cells. One function of RNA is to direct the synthesis of proteins.

Ribo-nucleic acid. A naturally-occurring molecule key to essential cellular function which, like DNA, is made up of a string of bases.

the long twisted molecule that helps copy a cells DNA

Ribonucleic acid

A molecule that is chemically similar to DNA and carries the same code. When DNA is biochemically read or transcribed, the transcription product is composed of RNA. This RNA is read in turn by the cell's biochemical machinery and converted into a corresponding protein.

A nucleic acid that carries information from DNA to sites where proteins are manufactured in cells and that directs and participates in the assembly of proteins.

Long carbon-chain molecules that use the information stored in DNA to manufacture complex molecules necessary to the organism.

a molecule similar to DNA, which helps in the process of decoding the genetic information carried by DNA. See nucleotide, Messenger RNA (mRNA).

a chemical similar to DNA. The several classes of RNA molecules play important roles in protein synthesis and other cell activities.

a chemical similar to a single strand of DNA

A substance found in the nucleus of a cell. RNA copies genetic information from DNA and then translates it into proteins.