What does RNA stand for? It stands for ribonucleic acid, a molecule found in every living cell. If DNA is the master recipe book kept safe in the nucleus, RNA is the working copy of a single recipe that gets carried to the kitchen and used to make something, usually a protein.
RNA does more than copy messages, though. Some types build the cell's protein making machines, some fetch raw materials, and some help switch genes on and off. Certain viruses even use RNA instead of DNA as their genetic material.
Quick facts
Stands for
Ribonucleic acidType
Initialism, said R N ASugar
RiboseBases
Adenine, uracil, guanine, cytosine (A, U, G, C)Shape
Usually a single strandMain types
mRNA, tRNA, rRNANot to be confused with
DNA, deoxyribonucleic acid
What does RNA stand for, part by part?
The name describes what the molecule is made of:
| Part of the name | Letter | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Ribo | R | Ribose, the five carbon sugar in its backbone |
| Nucleic | N | First found in the cell nucleus |
| Acid | A | The molecule is slightly acidic because of its phosphate groups |
You say each letter, "R N A," so it is an initialism. Scientists also write the types with a small letter in front, such as mRNA for messenger RNA, and those are said letter by letter too: "M R N A."
What RNA does in the body
Cells use RNA to turn the information stored in DNA into proteins, the molecules that do most of the work in the body. The process runs in two main steps:
- Transcription: inside the nucleus, a stretch of DNA is copied into a strand of messenger RNA.
- Translation: the messenger RNA travels out to a ribosome, which reads it three letters at a time and links amino acids in the right order to build a protein.
Think of it like a library that will not lend its rare books. Instead of taking the book out, you photocopy the page you need, take the copy to your workshop and follow it there. The photocopy is the RNA.
The main types of RNA
- mRNA, messenger RNA: carries the instructions for one protein from the DNA to a ribosome.
- tRNA, transfer RNA: brings the matching amino acid to the ribosome for each three letter code.
- rRNA, ribosomal RNA: forms much of the ribosome itself and helps join amino acids together.
- Small regulating RNAs: short strands, such as microRNA, that help control how much of a protein gets made.
On a biology worksheet: "Which type of RNA carries the code from the nucleus to the ribosome?" The answer is mRNA, messenger RNA.
RNA vs DNA: how to tell them apart
| Feature | RNA | DNA |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Ribonucleic acid | Deoxyribonucleic acid |
| Sugar | Ribose | Deoxyribose (one fewer oxygen atom) |
| Bases | A, U, G, C | A, T, G, C |
| Usual shape | Single strand | Double helix |
| Main job | Carries and uses genetic instructions | Stores genetic instructions long term |
| Life span in the cell | Often short | Very stable |
The easiest clue on a test is the base: if you see U, uracil, it is RNA. If you see T, thymine, it is DNA.
RNA in medicine and the news
RNA comes up in health news in a few ways. Some viruses, including the ones that cause the flu and the common cold, carry their genes as RNA. Lab tests for these viruses often look for their RNA. Some vaccines use a piece of mRNA that tells cells to make a harmless protein, which trains the immune system to recognize a germ. Gene editing tools such as CRISPR also use a guide made of RNA to find the right spot in DNA.
Writing RNA correctly
- Capitals, no periods: RNA.
- The full form is lowercase in running text: ribonucleic acid.
- Types use a lowercase prefix: mRNA, tRNA, rRNA.
- Use "an" before it, since R is said "ar": "an RNA strand."
- Do not confuse it with CRNA, a certified registered nurse anesthetist.
Science terms sit alongside everyday ones on our famous acronyms hub, and GMO is a natural next read.
Questions people ask
What is the RNA full form?
RNA stands for ribonucleic acid. The ribo part refers to ribose, the sugar in the molecule.
Why does RNA use uracil instead of thymine?
Uracil pairs with adenine, just as thymine does, so it works well for short lived copies. DNA uses thymine, a close relative with one extra small chemical group, which helps cells spot and fix copying errors in long term storage.
Is RNA single stranded?
Usually, yes. A single strand can still fold back on itself into loops and shapes that help it do its job.
What is the difference between RNA and mRNA?
RNA is the general name. mRNA, messenger RNA, is one type that carries the code for a protein from DNA to the ribosome.
How do you pronounce RNA?
Say each letter: ar, en, ay. No one blends the three into a single syllable.