Ribonucleic acid

Like DNA, RNA stores genetic information and is similar in specific ways. Unlike DNA, RNA is often single-stranded and is involved in protein synthesis. Messenger RNA (mRNA), transfer RNA (tRNA), and ribosomal RNA (rRNA) are the three major types of RNA.

Adenine (A)

Adenine is a purine base used to make one of the building blocks of RNA and DNA. It base-pairs with uracil in RNA.

Guanine (G)

Guanine is a purine base used to make one of the building blocks of RNA and DNA. It base-pairs with cytosine in RNA.

Cytosine (C)

Cytosine is a pyrimidine base used to make one of the building blocks of RNA and DNA. It base-pairs with guanine in RNA.

Uracil (U)

Uracil is a pyrimidine base that is used to make one of the building blocks of RNA. The base thymine is replaced with the structurally similar Uracil in RNA. It base-pairs with adenine in RNA.