Final answer:
RNA's primary function is to carry genetic instructions for protein synthesis from DNA to the cellular machinery. It exists in different forms, mainly mRNA, rRNA, tRNA, and miRNA, each playing a specific role in the creation and regulation of proteins.
Step-by-step explanation:
Function of RNA
The function of RNA is essential in the synthesis of proteins within a cell, following the central dogma of molecular biology which states DNA RNA → Protein. RNA, or Ribonucleic Acid, is vital for translating the genetic instructions stored in DNA into the proteins that carry out numerous functions in a cell. There are four main types of RNA:
- Messenger RNA (mRNA), which carries genetic information from the nucleus to the cytoplasm for protein synthesis.
- Ribosomal RNA (rRNA), which forms a critical part of the structure and function of ribosomes, aligning mRNA and catalyzing peptide bond formation during protein synthesis.
- Transfer RNA (tRNA), which transports amino acids to the ribosome to be added to a growing polypeptide chain.
- MicroRNA (miRNA), which plays a role in regulating the expression of mRNA messages and, by extension, protein synthesis.
RNA is a polynucleotide chain that includes the base uracil instead of thymine and the sugar ribose instead of deoxyribose, distinguishing it from DNA. As a nucleic acid, RNA fulfills regulatory and catalytic roles and is not used for long-term genetic storage in cells; however, some viruses use RNA as their genetic material.