Chapter 8
Sandra Loranger
Stacie Daer
Mike Reilly
Question:
Distinguish between mRNA, rRNA, and
tRNA. What molecule does each
abbreviation represent and what role does
each molecule play in the process of gene
expression?
Describe and explain.
RNA’s
 mRNA – messenger RNA
 tRNA – transfer RNA
 rRNA – Ribosomal RNA
mRNA - encodes proteins
Messenger Ribonucleic Acid (mRNA) is a copy of the
information carried by a gene. mRNA is transcribed from a
DNA template, and carries information to the sites of
protein synthesis: the ribosome.
htttp://www.biochem.uwo.ca
The "life cycle" of an mRNA in a eukaryotic
cell
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Ribosomal RNA (rRNA) is the central component
of the ribosome's protein manufacturing
machinery. rRNA are sub cellular structures that
are composed of another kind of RNA. Each
ribosome is composed of 2 subunits 1 large and 1
small when assembled it can bind to structures
called Transfer RNA (tRNA) carrying amino acids.
Work Cited: Biology science for life.
www.biology.unm.edu
Transfer RNA (tRNA)
tRNA - adaptor, binds amino acids and
rRNA and translates between mRNA and
protein. Each tRNA also carries the amino
acid corresponding to the mRNA codon to
which it binds.
Transfer RNA translates the language of
nucleotides into the language of amino
acids.
 tRNAs bring amino acids to the

ribosomes during translation to
be assembled into polypeptide
chains.
tRNAs are encoded by tRNA
genes.
All tRNA molecules are similar in
size and shape.
All tRNAs have CCA at the 3' end
to which the amino acid attaches.
At the other "end" of the tRNA
molecule is the anticodon, which,
during translation, "reads" the
matching codon on the mRNA.
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