Three Types of RNA | mRNA tRNA & rRNA

Find all the answers to your RNA questions for worksheets and assignments in the videos and info below.

Thanks for stopping by, this is 2 minute classroom and today we are talking about RNA. Specifically mRNA, rRNA, and tRNA.

Messenger RNA (mRNA)

Let’s start with mRNA or messenger RNA, so named because it acts as the messenger between the genes in DNA and protein production on ribosomes. And if you want to know the differences between RNA and DNA, I have a great video for that. 

When you discuss RNA in school, you are usually talking about mRNA. During transcription, DNA is “transcribed” into mRNA, meaning it is very similar, but not identical to the section of DNA it was copied from. This mRNA is then translated into a protein. It serves as the genetic template of a protein since the DNA can’t leave the nucleus. 

Transfer RNA (tRNA)

Next, we have tRNA or transfer RNA. This is my personal favorite and honestly one of the most fascinating molecules in genetics. RNA is generally single stranded, but tRNA actually folds back onto itself to form a distinct “t” shape. Without going to deep, transfer RNA is responsible for bringing amino acids together during translation to form the growing peptide chain that will become a protein. 

Ribosomal RNA (rRNA)

Last but not least is rRNA or Ribosomal RNA. This RNA is a main component of ribosomes, which I have discussed in a previous video on ribosomes. rRNA combines with special proteins to form ribosomes which then “read” mRNA to form proteins. There was a lot in that sentence, so feel free to go back and read it again if you need to. But essentially, ribosomes contain rRNA and help build proteins.   

To bring it all together, sections of DNA are transcribed into mRNA, which is then brought from the nucleus to the ribosome (composed of rRNA and protein). The mRNA is then read by the ribosome, which brings the tRNA in with the appropriate amino acids to build whatever protein the mRNA is a template for. It gets much more complicated and if you want to go into detail, check out this video on transcription and translation.