Humber Admissions Practice Test

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What does mRNA stand for?

Molecular RNA
Messenger RNA
Mitochondrial RNA
Micro RNA

The correct answer is: Messenger RNA

mRNA stands for Messenger RNA. It plays a crucial role in the process of gene expression. In the cell, DNA contains the genetic information that codes for proteins, but it remains inside the nucleus. To express a gene and produce a protein, the information needs to be transferred to the cytoplasm where protein synthesis occurs. This is where mRNA comes into play. During the transcription process, a segment of DNA is used as a template to synthesize mRNA. This mRNA strand is a complementary copy of the gene and carries the genetic instructions needed for making specific proteins. Once synthesized, mRNA travels from the nucleus to the ribosomes in the cytoplasm, where it serves as a template for translation. Ribosomes read the sequence of the mRNA to assemble amino acids in the correct order, ultimately forming proteins. This term, "messenger," reflects its role in conveying genetic information from the DNA to the machinery that produces proteins. The other options refer to different types of RNA that have distinct functions in the cell, contributing to various biological processes, but they do not fulfill the same role as mRNA in protein synthesis.