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RNA

RNA is a polynucleotide.The pentose sugar is ribose and the nucleotides are joined by phosphodiester bonds.RNA contains four nitrogen-containing bases, adenine, cytosine, guanine and uracil.There are three types of RNA: mRNA, rRNA and tRNA. All are involved in protein synthesis.Ribosomal RNA (rRNA) is synthesised in the nucleolus and is a component of ribosomes.Messenger RNA (mRNA) is a copy of a length of DNA called a gene. The mRNA then moves from the nucleus into the cytoplasm to determine the order in which amino-acids are joined together to make proteins.Transfer RNA (tRNA) holds the amino acids in place on a ribosome so a peptide bond can be formed.

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Specification: OCR Biology A (H020), AS-level, 2.1.3 Nucleotides and nucleic acids. Topic: Biological Molecules.

Key terms in this lesson

nucleolus
A spherical structure within the nucleus where ribosomal RNA is made and combined with protein to form ribosomes.
peptide bond
The covalent bond formed between two amino acids by a condensation reaction.
gene
A length of DNA that codes for a specific polypeptide.

More in Biological Molecules

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