Definition

1. Noun:
   • A biological macromolecule: Ribonucleic acid (RNA) is a long, linear polymer composed of nucleotide units. It is a nucleic acid, similar to DNA, and is essential for various biological functions.
   • A carrier of genetic information: In cells, RNA plays a central role in transmitting genetic instructions from DNA in the nucleus to the sites of protein synthesis in the cytoplasm. It also controls specific chemical processes within the cell.
   • Viral genetic material: For some viruses, ribonucleic acid itself serves as the primary genetic material, rather than DNA.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Messenger ribonucleic acid carries the genetic code from DNA to the ribosome.
  • Scientists are studying the structure of ribonucleic acid to understand gene expression.
  • The virus's genome is composed of single-stranded ribonucleic acid.

Advanced Usage

• "ribonucleic acid sequencing": The process of determining the precise order of nucleotides within an RNA molecule.
  • Ribonucleic acid sequencing revealed new details about the transcriptome.
• "ribonucleic acid interference (RNAi)": A biological process where RNA molecules inhibit gene expression.
  • Ribonucleic acid interference is a powerful tool for genetic research.

Variants and Related Words

• RNA: The standard and most common abbreviation for ribonucleic acid.
  • The RNA was extracted from the tissue sample.
• mRNA (messenger RNA): A type of RNA that conveys genetic information from DNA to the ribosome.
• tRNA (transfer RNA): A type of RNA that brings amino acids to the ribosome during protein synthesis.
• rRNA (ribosomal RNA): A type of RNA that is a key structural and catalytic component of ribosomes.

Synonyms

• Nucleic acid: The broader class of biopolymers to which RNA belongs.
• Genetic material: A general term for molecules that carry hereditary information.

Related Phrases

• Ribonucleic acid polymerase: An enzyme that synthesizes RNA from a DNA template.
  • The gene is transcribed by ribonucleic acid polymerase.
• Ribonucleic acid world hypothesis: A theory that early life forms used RNA for both genetic information and catalysis.
  • The ribonucleic acid world hypothesis is a compelling idea about the origin of life.

Noun

1. (biochemistry) a long linear polymer of nucleotides found in the nucleus but mainly in the cytoplasm of a cell where it is associated with microsomes; it transmits genetic information from DNA to the cytoplasm and controls certain chemical processes in the cell
   • ribonucleic acid is the genetic material of some viruses