What are Three Types of RNA and Their Roles in Protein Synthesis?
RNA is best known for its role in protein synthesis or the production of new proteins. RNA carries information from the DNA to structures called ribosomes, where the actual protein synthesis takes place in the cell. The information is then translated into proteins. There are three major RNA species that serve different, but equally critical, functions in the protein synthesis process. The three types of RNA are messenger RNA, transfer RNA and ribosomal RNA. Messenger RNA (mRNA) Messenger RNA carries the information from the DNA through the cytoplasm, or jelly-like fluid that fills the cell, to the ribosomes. The information is read as three-letter words (triplets) called codons. Each codon corresponds to one amino acid; amino acids are the building blocks of protein. Transfer RNA (tRNA) Transfer RNA and ribosomal RNA (rRNA) serve the function of translation. Transfer RNA consists of specialized molecules that feature an amino acid at one end and an anticodon at the other end. The antic
