What is the full form of RNA?

The full form of RNA is Ribonucleic Acid. One of the two essential nucleic acids in an organism is RNA, and the other is DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid). According to the RNA theory, RNA is the initial genetic material from which all genetic code was derived and from which the earliest forms of life emerged. A molecule that multiplies itself is RNA. Simply put, RNA is the source of all current life forms on Earth.

Structure of RNA

The structure of RNA is briefly explained below:                                              

• Phosphoric acid, a pentose sugar, and certain nitrogen-containing cyclic bases make up the RNA molecule.
• RNA contains the sugar moiety -D-ribose. The heterocyclic bases found in RNA are uracil (U), guanine (G), adenine (A), cytosine (C), and cysteine (C). In contrast to DNA, RNA has a different fourth base.
• The primary RNA building blocks, adenine and uracil, create base pairs with the help of hydrogen bonds.
• Most RNA is made up of a single strand that occasionally folds back.
• RNA has a hairpin structure, and nucleotides are produced in this ribonucleic material, just like in DNA. Like phosphate groups, which frequently help produce nucleotides in DNA, nucleosides play a role in this process.

Various types of RNA

There are different types of RNA, out of which in the human body most well-known and most widely studied are

• tRNA (Transfer RNA)

To aid the ribosomes, the transfer RNA determines the proper protein or amino acids that the body needs. Every amino acid’s endpoints contain it. It connects messenger RNA with amino acids and is also known as soluble RNA.

• mRNA (Messenger RNA)

As its name suggests, mRNA is in charge of transporting genetic information to the ribosomes and deciding what kind of protein the body requires. This also goes by the name of messenger RNA. Such m-RNA is typically employed during transcription and the synthesis of proteins.

• rRNA (Ribosomal RNA)

The ribosomal component, or rRNA, is located in the cytoplasm of a cell, which is also the location of ribosomes. All living things require ribosomal RNA to produce and translate mRNA into proteins. The most common RNA in all living cells is the rRNA, predominantly composed of cellular RNA.