A single-stranded RNA copy of a gene that carries instructions to the ribosome.
Eukaryotic mRNA has a 5' cap, a 5' untranslated region, a coding sequence, a 3' untranslated region and a poly-A tail. Its lifetime ranges from minutes to days and controls protein levels.
Bacterial mRNA is often polycistronic, carrying several genes.
A single-stranded RNA copy of a gene that carries instructions to the ribosome.
Messenger RNA is one of the 52 topics in Molecular Biology. It is rated Beginner, so it suits learners who are starting out in biology. Related topics in this area include Transcription, Gene Expression, Promoter.
MRNA vaccines deliver synthetic mRNA that is translated into antigen and then degrades.
Messenger RNA is a Beginner topic, so no earlier topic is required. Other Beginner topics in Molecular Biology that pair well with it include Central Dogma, DNA Replication, Base Pairing.
The closest topics to Messenger RNA are Transcription, Gene Expression, Promoter, Alternative Splicing. Comparing them side by side is a good way to see how the ideas connect.
Read the summary and the in-depth section, then use the quick check on the interactive lesson for Messenger RNA. To practise the whole of Molecular Biology, use the Molecular Biology quiz.
Messenger RNA: A single-stranded RNA copy of a gene that carries instructions to the ribosome. Transcription: The process of making an RNA copy of a gene using DNA as a template. Read both side by side and note what each one explains.
First, read the summary and write the definition in your own words. Second, read the in-depth section and note any example. Third, compare it with Transcription and explain the difference aloud. Finally, take the Molecular Biology quiz and come back to this page for any question you miss.
The process of making an RNA copy of a gene using DNA as a template.
🧫 Molecular BiologyThe process by which information in a gene is used to make a functional product.
🧫 Molecular BiologyA DNA sequence where RNA polymerase and transcription factors bind to start transcription of a gene.
🧫 Molecular BiologyDifferent exon combinations from one gene yield several protein variants.
🧫 Molecular Biology