[Nucleic Acid Master Menu]


[-DNA & RNA Code of Life

The diagram at left illustrates a molecule of RNA. In particular, it is a molecule of messenger RNA since it is long and straight. One can tell the difference between RNA and DNA as RNA is a single-stranded nucleic acid while DNA would have two sides to it as it's double-stranded. It is also an RNA molecule as one of the colored nitrogen bases is labelled with a U for uracil. Uracil is only found in RNA. If the molecule had a T (for thymine) in it, then it would represent DNA.

Because it is a single strand, it is small enough to pass through the holes in the nuclear membrane and move to the ribosomes in the rough ER of the cytoplasm.

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