what is the role of RNA in protein synthesis?

Answer 1

RNA (ribonucleic acid) plays a significant role in protein synthesis. DNA serves as the blueprint for protein synthesis, but RNA acts as the intermediary that carries out the instructions.

The process of protein synthesis begins with transcription, in which DNA information is copied into RNA. This process occurs in the nucleus of a cell and involves an enzyme RNA polymerase, which matches RNA nucleotides with complementary DNA nucleotides. This results in the formation of a single strand of RNA, known as messenger RNA (mRNA).

Once the mRNA is formed, it leaves the nucleus and travels to the ribosomes in the cytoplasm, where translation occurs. The process of translation involves the conversion of the mRNA into a protein with the help of transfer RNA (tRNA) and ribosomal RNA (rRNA).

The tRNA carries amino acids to the ribosome, where they are matched to the appropriate codon on the mRNA. The rRNA acts as a structural component of the ribosome and helps to catalyze the formation of peptide bonds between the amino acids.

Therefore, RNA serves as a crucial player in protein synthesis by carrying the genetic information from DNA and facilitating the synthesis of proteins by linking amino acids together in the correct order.