1. RNA  Structure Differences:  1. Instead of being double stranded, RNA is a single stranded molecule. (ss)  2. The sugar in RNA is ribose. It has one more oxygen.

2.  3. Has four nitrogenous bases. Three are the same as DNA; adenine, guanine, and cytosine.  Instead of thymine, RNA has Uracil. No T’s but U’s, so if there is an adenine it will pair with uracil.

3. Function  RNA is the bridge between genes found in the nucleus and ribosomes that make proteins in the cytoplasm.  Remember the mantra!!  RNA is mobile and moves from the nucleus to the cytoplasm.

4.  Information in DNA for a protein (a gene!) is copied into RNA. This piece of RNA leaves the nucleus and moves to ribosomes in the cytoplasm.  This RNA copy of a gene is called messenger RNA. m-RNA for short.  This process is called transcription.

5. Types of RNA  m-RNA = messenger RNA. Codes for a protein.  t-RNA = transfer RNA. Converts a 3 nucleotide segment of RNA into an amino acid  r-RNA = ribosomal RNA. Used to make ribosomes.