FOUR TYPES OF RNA IN A EUKARYOTIC CELL

 

TYPE OF RNA                      FUNCTION

 

messenger RNA                                   carries the genetic information for synthesizing a

mRNA                                                 polypeptide from the nuclear DNA to the ribosomes

                                                            in the cytoplasm

 

ribosomal RNA                                    together with ribosomal proteins, rRNA makes up

rRNA                                                   the ribosomes. May possess catalytic properties

 

 

transfer RNA                                        delivers amino acids to the ribosomes. The

tRNA                                                   anticodon on the tRNA molecule matches the

                                                            mRNA codon to the amino acid. Vital role in

                                                            constructing the polypeptide

 

small nuclear RNA                                together with small nuclear riboproteins (snRPs),

snRNA                                                 The snRNA plays a structural and catalytic role in

                                                            spliceosomes. Crucial to RNA processing.

 

DNA is transcribed into four types of RNA molecules. Only mRNA is actually translated.