Difference between revisions of "RNA"
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− | + | '''Ribonucleic acid''' (RNA) is a family of biomolecules which perform several essential functions within all cells. As a type of nucleic acid, RNA is structurally and chemically very similar to [[DNA]]; the two largest differences being that RNA contains ribose instead of 2'-deoxyribose and uses [[uracil]] instead of [[thymine]] as one of its four bases. | |
− | + | Unlike DNA, which is primarily used as a template for [[transcription]], RNA molecules perform a diverse set of functions within the cell. Subsets of RNA are generally classified by their function, which can range from acting as the template for [[translation|protein synthesis]] ("messenger RNA" or "[[mRNA]]") to performing [[ribozyme|enzymatic functions]]. Additionally, many viruses use RNA instead of DNA as their genetic material (e.g. [[retrovirus|retroviruses]]). | |
− | + | As with DNA, RNAs can exist in single-stranded (annotated "ssRNA") or double-stranded ("dsRNA") forms; however, the vast majority of cellular RNAs are single-stranded. dsRNAs generally function in post-transcriptional [[gene regulation]] or as viral genetic material. Targeted degradation of dsRNAs is a major intracellular defence mechanism against viruses. | |
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==References== | ==References== |
Revision as of 02:35, November 4, 2012
Ribonucleic acid (RNA) is a family of biomolecules which perform several essential functions within all cells. As a type of nucleic acid, RNA is structurally and chemically very similar to DNA; the two largest differences being that RNA contains ribose instead of 2'-deoxyribose and uses uracil instead of thymine as one of its four bases.
Unlike DNA, which is primarily used as a template for transcription, RNA molecules perform a diverse set of functions within the cell. Subsets of RNA are generally classified by their function, which can range from acting as the template for protein synthesis ("messenger RNA" or "mRNA") to performing enzymatic functions. Additionally, many viruses use RNA instead of DNA as their genetic material (e.g. retroviruses).
As with DNA, RNAs can exist in single-stranded (annotated "ssRNA") or double-stranded ("dsRNA") forms; however, the vast majority of cellular RNAs are single-stranded. dsRNAs generally function in post-transcriptional gene regulation or as viral genetic material. Targeted degradation of dsRNAs is a major intracellular defence mechanism against viruses.