ribonucleic

DNA's single-stranded cousin

Ribonucleic appears almost exclusively in the phrase ribonucleic acid, abbreviated RNA—a molecule essential to all living cells.

RNA carries genetic instructions from DNA and helps synthesize proteins.

The term combines ribose (a sugar in the molecule's backbone) with nucleic (relating to the cell nucleus where genetic material resides).

transcription

polymerase

Nucleic acid synthesis enzyme

promoterOne who organizes events
elongationIncrease in length
initiationFormal admission ceremony

termination · splicing · exon · intron · template · upstream · downstream · coding · nascent · capping

structure

uracil

RNA pyrimidine nucleobase

adeninePurine nucleobase in DNA
cytosinePyrimidine nucleobase in genetics
guaninePurine nucleobase in DNA

phosphate · purine · pyrimidine · hydrogen-bonding · sequence · complementary · single-stranded · hairpin · backbone

types

messenger

One who delivers communications

transferMove between locations
ribosomalOf protein-synthesizing particles
mRNAGene's working copy

tRNA · pre-mRNA · catalytic · antisense

translation

codon

Base triplet encoding amino

anticodontRNA's matching triplet
polypeptideAmino acid polymer
synthesisCombining parts into whole

ribosome · wobble

genetic

genome

Organism's total hereditary material

mutationPermanent DNA alteration
heredityGenetic trait transmission
genomicsStudy of entire genetic sequences

regulation · epigenetics · retrovirus

Opposites

nucleic acid type

ribonucleicdeoxyribonucleic

Pertaining to DNA

DNA · deoxyribose · genomic · chromosomal

Phrases

ribonucleic acidGenetic information carrier

Family

deoxyribonucleic acid, ribonucleic acid

Familiarity: Top 500,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Timeless · Rated G