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What is RNA? 


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RNA is a biological macromolecule that plays a crucial role in various biological processes in organisms. It is involved in gene handling, encoding, erasing, regulatory functions, and genotypic/phenotypic expression of genes. Messenger RNA (mRNA) is a variation of RNA that is present in the cytoplasm and is responsible for protein synthesis. mRNA technology has gained significant attention in scientific and medical fields due to its unique characteristics and potential applications in disease control and chronic illness. RNA synthesis occurs through the process of transcription, mediated by enzymes called RNA polymerases. Different types of RNA, such as ribosomal RNA (rRNA), transfer RNA (tRNA), and messenger RNA (mRNA), have been identified, each with specific functions. RNA molecules also play a role in gene expression regulation and can be used as diagnostic markers for human diseases.

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David Wang, Aisha Farhana 
10 Jul 2020
RNA is a molecule made up of nucleotides, ribose sugars, nitrogenous bases (adenine, guanine, uracil, and cytosine), and phosphate groups. It is present in living organisms and viruses and plays a role in genetic material and protein synthesis.
RNA is a nucleic acid that is structurally different from DNA.
Book ChapterDOI
01 Jan 2020
4 Citations
RNA is a bio-macromolecule that plays various roles in gene coding, decoding, and gene expression regulation in all domains of life.
RNA is a long, unbranched polymer of ribonucleoside monophosphate moieties joined together by phosphodiester linkages.
RNA is a biological macromolecule that plays a crucial role in carrying out various biological processes in an organism.

Related Questions

What is transcriptomics?4 answersTranscriptomics is the study of all RNA molecules expressed in cells or tissues, allowing for the analysis of gene expression patterns, identification of novel transcripts, and study of epigenetic changes within the transcriptome. It involves the comprehensive characterization of the transcriptome, including the annotation of all species of transcript, determination of transcriptional structure, and quantification of differential expression levels under different conditions. Transcriptomics has been driven by the emergence of high-throughput technologies such as RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq), which enables precise and comprehensive characterization of the transcriptome. It has applications in understanding biological processes, human diseases, and drug discovery and development. Transcriptomics is part of the broader field of omics-based technologies, which also includes genomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and others, and can be integrated with other omics data using systems biology approaches.
What are transcriptomics?5 answersTranscriptomics is the study of RNA molecules produced by the genome at a specific time and biological state. It involves the characterization of the transcriptome, which includes all species of RNA, such as mRNAs and non-coding RNAs, and the determination of gene transcriptional structure. The goal of transcriptome analysis is to identify genes that are differentially expressed under different conditions, leading to a better understanding of associated genes or pathways. Transcriptomics has been driven by the development of high-throughput technologies, such as RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq), which allows for precise and comprehensive characterization of the transcriptome. It has contributed to the understanding of RNA biology, including RNA sequences, structures, transcription, translation, and cellular functions. Transcriptomic approaches have also been applied in various fields, including human disease research, developmental studies, and plant breeding for stress tolerance.
What is the difference between DNA and RNA?4 answersDNA and RNA are nucleic acids that convey genetic information. They have several differences. Firstly, DNA is the most commonly used nucleic acid in forensic caseworks, while RNA is structurally different from DNA and is more active in cellular processes. Secondly, DNA consists of a double helix structure, while RNA is usually single-stranded. Thirdly, the sugar in DNA nucleotides is deoxyribose, while RNA nucleotides contain ribose. Additionally, DNA contains the nitrogenous base thymine, while RNA contains uracil instead. Lastly, DNA encodes genetic information, while RNA functions as the reader that decodes this information and is involved in processes such as transcription and translation.
What is ribosomal RNA?2 answersRibosomal RNA (rRNA) is a highly abundant component of RNA, comprising the majority of molecules present in a total RNA sample. It plays a central role in protein synthesis by forming the active site for peptide bond formation and interacting with messenger RNA, transfer RNA, and translational factors. Ribosomal RNAs are the most abundant cellular RNA species and have evolved as the structural scaffold and catalytic center of protein synthesis in all living organisms. The RNA products of the ribosomal DNA are the ribosomal RNAs that are part of the ribosome. The rDNA/nucleolus, which gives origin to the nucleolus, is an evolutionarily conserved segment of the genome and is directly implicated in aging and longevity.
What is transcriptomics?3 answersTranscriptomics is the study of RNA biology, including RNA sequences, structures, transcription, translation, and cellular functions. It involves analyzing all the RNAs expressed in cells or tissues to understand gene expression patterns, identify novel transcripts, and study epigenetic changes within the transcriptome. Transcriptomics has been driven by the development of high-throughput sequencing technologies, such as microarray and RNA sequencing, which allow for the determination of the expression profile of the entire genome in a biological system. This has led to the identification of gene expression signatures as biomarkers for early detection of toxicity and diseases, as well as providing insights into the mechanisms underlying toxicity and disease development. Transcriptomic analyses, particularly RNA sequencing, have also improved genetic diagnostic yield for rare diseases by detecting disease-relevant mechanisms that may not be visible through DNA analyses alone.
What are the functions of DNA and RNA?5 answersDNA and RNA have diverse functions in cells and organisms. DNA is responsible for carrying genetic information and serves as the blueprint for the synthesis of proteins and the regulation of gene expression. RNA, on the other hand, plays a crucial role in various cellular processes. It is involved in the DNA damage response, where RNA binding proteins and RNA itself participate in the detection and repair of DNA damage. RNA can also form secondary structures called G-quadruplexes (G4s), which have been found in chromatin DNA and RNA and are associated with transcription, translation, genome instability, and cancer. Additionally, RNA is used for sequencing and detecting nucleobase sequences in DNA and RNA, enabling the study of gene codes, protein-DNA interactions, gene expression profiling, and tracking modified bases. Overall, DNA and RNA have essential roles in genetic information storage, gene regulation, DNA repair, and various cellular processes.