Question

What are different types of RNA which are found in cells?

Answer 1

RNA molecules are classified according to their structure and function into three major types.

1. Ribosomal RNA (rRNA)
2. Messenger RNA (mRNA)
3. Transfer RNA (tRNA)

rRNA: rRNA is mainly found in the cytoplasm and in ribosomes, which contain 60% RNA and 40% protein. Ribosomes are the sites at which protein synthesis takes place.

mRNA: mRNA is present in small quantities and very short-lived. They are single-stranded, and their synthesis takes place on DNA. The synthesis of mRNA from the DNA strand is called transcription. mRNA carries genetic information from DNA to the ribosomes for protein synthesis.

tRNA: tRNA molecules have the lowest molecular weight of all nucleic acids. They consist of 73 – 94 nucleotides in a single chain. The function of tRNA is to carry amino acids to the sites of protein synthesis on ribosomes.