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Ribonucleic acid, or RNA for short, is a molecule that plays a vital role in the coding, decoding, regulation, and expression of genes. It is made up of nucleotides and helps to translate genetic information into proteins. In this blog post, we will discuss the full form of RNA, its structure and function, and some of the diseases that can be caused by abnormalities in RNA levels. Stay tuned!
What is the full form of RNA?
The full form of RNA is Ribonucleic acid. It is a molecule that plays an important role in the coding, decoding, and expression of genes. RNA also helps to translate genetic information into proteins. Ribonucleic acid is found in all living cells and has been shown to be essential for life. ribonucleotide or RNA nucleotide Ribonucleotides are the building blocks of RNA. There are three types of ribonucleotides: adenine, guanine, and cytosine.
Adenine and guanine are purines, while cytosine is a pyrimidine. Pyrimidines are two-ringed structures, while purines are three-ringed. Adenine pairs with thymine to form DNA, and guanine pairs with cytosine. RNA, on the other hand, is single-stranded.
Types of RNA
There are four types of RNA. They are:
- ribosomal RNA (rRNA)
- messenger RNA (mRNA)
- transfer RNA (tRNA), and
- small nuclear RNA (snRNA)
RNA(mRNA): Messenger RNA is responsible for carrying the genetic instructions from DNA to the Ribosome.
RNA(tRNA): Transfer RNA helps in the decoding of mRNA and the transport of amino acids to the Ribosome.
RNA(rRNA): Ribosomal RNA is a part of Ribosomes, which are responsible for protein synthesis.
RNA(snRNA): Small nuclear RNA is involved in the splicing of mRNA.
Also see: What is the full form of DNA?
Function of RNA
- Most RNA molecules are involved in the process of translating the genetic code carried in DNA into proteins, as well as other vital functions.
- RNA is transcribed from DNA and plays a role in protein synthesis and regulation of gene expression.
- It is also responsible for carrying out some enzymatic functions.
- RNA is found in all living cells and many viruses.
Structure of RNA
- The RNA mainly contains ribose sugar and phosphate.
- The four nitrogenous bases adenine, guanine, cytosine, and uracil are present in RNA.
- Adenine and guanine are double-ringed purines, while cytosine and uracil are single-ringed pyrimidines.
- The phosphate group and the sugar are linked together by a phosphodiester bond.
- Ribose is a five-carbon sugar, which is why RNA is also called Ribonucleic Acid.
- The nitrogenous bases are attached to the ribose sugar molecule via a glycosidic bond.
RNA in Diseases
As per the research, RNA and human diseases are linked with each other. The RNA helps in the development of human diseases and also plays a role in many viral infections. The research showed that when a particular gene gets mutated, it can cause the RNA to malfunction. This will, in turn, lead to human diseases.
There are many viruses that use RNA to make new viruses. The HIV virus, for example, uses RNA to create new viruses inside human cells. When the HIV virus infects a human cell, it injects its RNA into the cell. The cell then starts producing new viruses, which eventually kill the cell.
Many human diseases are caused by viruses that use RNA to replicate. These include polio, measles, and mumps. There is still much to learn about RNA and human diseases. However, the research is ongoing and there are many promising treatments in development.
RNA also plays an important role in cancer. Some cancers are caused by viruses that use RNA to replicate. These include cervical cancer and liver cancer. In addition, certain types of RNA can promote the growth of cancer cells. The role of RNA in cancer is complex and still being studied. However, there is evidence that RNA plays a role in the development and progression of cancer.
In conclusion, RNA is involved in the development of many human diseases. It also plays a role in the replication of viruses that cause human diseases.
We hope this article has given you a better understanding of what RNA is and how it plays a role in gene expression. Ribonucleic acid is an essential molecule for life, and its importance is only becoming more clear as we learn more about the complexities of gene expression.
