RNA Chapter 10.2
Structure of RNA Ribose- the sugar molecule of every RNA nucleotide Uracil- nitrogen-containing pyrimidine base (replaces thymine) Uracil pairs with adenine in RNA
Types of RNA Messenger RNA (mRNA)- consists of RNA nucleotides in the form of a single uncoiled chain Carries genetic information from DNA in the nucleus to the cytosol
Transfer RNA (tRNA)- consists of a single chain of about 80 RNA nucleotides in a hairpin shape Binds to specific amino acids 45 varieties
Ribosomal RNA (rRNA)- most abundant form of RNA Consists of globular RNA nucleotides Makes up the ribosomes where proteins are made
Transcription Transcription- the process by which genetic information is copied from DNA to RNA RNA polymerase binds to the promoter of a specific gene A complimentary copy of the DNA base sequence is made
Steps of Transcription RNA polymerase- the primary transcription enzyme Synthesizes RNA copies of specific sequences of DNA
Promoters- specific regions of DNA where RNA polymerase binds to Marks the beginning of a single gene When RNA polymerase binds to DNA, the DNA separates and one side acts as a template
Termination signal- a specific sequence of nucleotides that marks the end of a gene At a termination signal, RNA polymerase releases the DNA and the newly formed RNA molecule
Products of Transcription Transcripts- the different types of RNA molecules Instructions for making a protein are copied from DNA to mRNA