An Overview of the Different Types of RNA

A Review of the Different Types of RNA

Messenger RNA (mRNA)

Messenger RNA contains genetic information. It is a copy of a portion of the DNA. It carries genetic information from the gene (DNA) out of the nucleus, into the cytoplasm of the cell where it is translated to produce protein.

Ribosomal RNA (rRNA)

This type of RNA is a structural component of the ribosomes. It does not contain a genetic message.

Transfer RNA (tRNA)

Transfer RNA functions to transport amino acids to the ribosomes during protein synthesis. This RNA reads the mRNA strand in the ribosome.

A Look at the Genetic Code

The table below shows the three bases that signal for a specific amino acid. These codes tell the tRNA which amino acid is needed during protein synthesis.

Check the following website out to play a fun game about transcription and translation.

Transcribe and Translate a Gene

We would like to thank the following sources for providing the information we used.

Works Cited

Blamire, John. "Transcription and Translation." Science @ a Distance.
     2000. Brooklyn Coll. 23 Oct. 2006 <http://www.brooklyn.cuny.edu/bc/ahp/
     SDV2.html>. Path: Biological Information; Transcription and Translation.

Carr, Steven M. "The Universal Genetic Code." Department of Biology. 2004.
     Memorial U. of Newfoundland. 25 Oct. 2006 <http://www.mun.ca/biology/
     scarr/MGA2_03-20.html>.

"DNA." Wikipedia. 23 Oct. 2006. Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. 23 Oct. 2006
     <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DNA>.

Gregory, Michael J. "Protein Synthesis: Transcription and Translation."
     Welcome to the Biology Web. Clinton Community Coll. 23 Oct. 2006
     <http://faculty.clintoncc.suny.edu/faculty/Michael.Gregory/default.htm>.
     Path: General Biology 1; Protein Synthesis: Transcription and Translation.

"Polymerase." Wikipedia. 28 Sept. 2006. Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. 23 Oct. 2006
     <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polymerase>.

"Transcribe and Translate a Gene." Learn.Genetics from the Genetic Science
     Learning Center. 13 Oct. 2006. The U. of Utah. 23 Oct. 2006
     <http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/units/basics/transcribe/>.