What evidence supports the idea that this molecule is RNA rather than DNA? Additionally, what is one function of RNA?

Answer 1

To determine whether a molecule is RNA rather than DNA, you can look for several key differences that provide supporting evidence:

1. Sugar Component: RNA contains ribose sugar, while DNA contains deoxyribose. The presence of the 2' hydroxyl group (-OH) in ribose is a distinguishing feature of RNA.

2. Nitrogenous Bases: RNA contains uracil (U) instead of thymine (T), which is found in DNA. The presence of uracil can be a strong indicator that the molecule is RNA.

3. Strand Structure: RNA is typically single-stranded, whereas DNA usually exists as a double-stranded helix. If the molecule appears as a single polynucleotide strand, it suggests RNA.

4. Molecular Weight: RNA molecules can be shorter in length and have a lower molecular weight compared to DNA, which can also help to identify it.

One function of RNA is protein synthesis. Specifically, messenger RNA (mRNA) carries genetic information from DNA to the ribosome, where it is translated into a protein. Other types of RNA, such as transfer RNA (tRNA) and ribosomal RNA (rRNA), also play critical roles in the translation process and in the overall synthesis of proteins within the cell.