Science
What is RNA?
RNA (ribonucleic acid) is a molecule that carries and acts on the genetic instructions stored in DNA. Its best-known form, messenger RNA, copies a gene's code and carries it to the cell's machinery to build proteins.
See it, don’t just read it.
Watch a 2-minute lesson with voice + animation that explains rna.
Key things to understand
- 1RNA is similar to DNA but single-stranded, and it uses the base uracil (U) instead of thymine (T).
- 2Messenger RNA (mRNA) copies a gene and carries the instructions out of the nucleus.
- 3Ribosomes read the mRNA to assemble proteins, the workhorses of the cell.
- 4Other RNAs help build proteins and regulate genes, and some viruses use RNA as their genome.
- 5mRNA vaccines use lab-made RNA to teach cells to make a harmless piece of a virus.
Frequently asked questions
- What's the difference between DNA and RNA?
- DNA is the long-term, double-stranded store of genetic information; RNA is a shorter-lived, usually single-stranded working copy that carries out tasks like building proteins.
- How do mRNA vaccines work?
- They deliver lab-made messenger RNA that instructs your cells to build a harmless piece of a virus, training your immune system to recognize the real thing.
- Can RNA store genetic information like DNA?
- Yes — some viruses, such as influenza and coronaviruses, use RNA as their genetic material instead of DNA.