RNA

/ˈɑ ˈrɛn ˌeɪ/

/ɑɛnˈeɪ/

Other forms: RNAS

RNA is a molecule that's found in the cells of organisms and viruses and is necessary for life. RNA contains genetic information that it copies from DNA.

Like DNA, RNA is a nucleic acid that's essential for life. RNA stands for ribonucleic acid, named for the ribose sugars in its composition. While the strands of DNA form a familiar double helix shape, RNA is more often single-stranded. It's the less famous of the two nucleic acids, but it's just as important — each of the different types of RNA performs vital jobs, including transferring information and making proteins.

Definitions of RNA

1. noun

   (biochemistry) a long linear polymer found mainly in the cytoplasm of a cell; associated with the transmission of information from DNA to the cytoplasm
   synonyms: ribonucleic acid

   types:

   informational RNA, mRNA, messenger RNA, template RNA

   the template for protein synthesis; the form of RNA that carries information from DNA in the nucleus to the ribosome sites of protein synthesis in the cell

   nRNA, nuclear RNA

   ribonucleic acid found in the nucleolus of the cell

   acceptor RNA, soluble RNA, tRNA, transfer RNA

   RNA molecules present in the cell (in at least 20 varieties, each variety capable of combining with a specific amino acid) that attach the correct amino acid to the protein chain that is being synthesized at the ribosome of the cell (according to directions coded in the mRNA)

   type of:

   polymer

   a naturally occurring or synthetic compound consisting of large molecules made up of a linked series of repeated simple monomers