RNA

Let's define RNA and its structure. Then, to me (and hopefully you?) protein synthesis will make more sense in one of the next posts.

RNA exists in cells to assist in protein synthesis, among other things. For now, this class focuses on just the protein synthesis aspect of RNA's job.

While DNA specifies what proteins will become, RNA helps along that journey, working with DNA and ribosomes to form proteins. There are three types of different RNA that help with this journey.

1. mRNA: messenger RNA carries a coded sequence of bases to ribosomes. 
2. tRNA: transfer RNA carries or -escorts- amino acids to the ribosomes during protein synthesis.
3. rRNA: ribosomal RNA is found in the ribosomes.



RNA is a polynucleotide, a chain of nucleotides with paired bases, like DNA is. There are some differences however.

1. RNA is not a double helix like DNA is. DNA is purposely a double helix with paired bases. That's how it rolls (and replicates, semiconservatively). RNA sometimes pairs with other bases but it's not on purpose and it's when the strand doubles back in itself to form a hairpin type structure.

2. DNA's  bases are: Adenine, Guanine, Thymine, Cytosine.
    RNA's bases are: Adenine, Guanine, Uracil, Cytosine.

3. Instead of Deoxyribose sugars, RNA uses Ribose 5-carbon sugar.

For now, this is all I have to say for the structure of RNA. There is more on RNA codons but for the amount of sense it is making to me right now, it deserves its own posting ;)