RNA

There are three different types of RNA. They each play a role in protein synthesis, the process of linking chains of amino acids together to form the protiens that make up a cell and carry out its functions.

mRNA

mRNa, or messenger RNA, is used to transfer the genetic information to the place in the cell where the proteins are being made.

It is a single strand, one half of the helix. It is formed as mirror image of the corresponding DNA, but with one difference - thymine is replaced by a base called uracil. Uracil bonds to adenine in the same way thymine does.

tRNA

tRNA, or transfer RNA, is shaped vaguely like a t. It has an anticodon on the bottom and an amino acid on the top. The anticodon is a set of three bases (out of uracil, adenine, guanine, and cytosine), that corresponds to a particular amino acid. tRNA floats around in the cell until it is needed.

rRNA

rRNA, or ribosomal RNA, is what makes up the structure where the amino acids are linked together. It is shaped like a large jumble of DNA and acts as a conduit for the mRNA.