Skip to main content
Ch. 3 Cells: The Living Units
Marieb - Human Anatomy & Physiology 11th Edition
Marieb, Hoehn11th EditionHuman Anatomy & PhysiologyISBN: 9780136874034Not the one you use?Change textbook
Chapter 3, Problem 10

The RNA species that travels from the nucleus to the cytoplasm carrying the coded message specifying the sequence of amino acids in the protein to be made is
a. mRNA
b. tRNA
c. rRNA
d. all of these

Verified step by step guidance
1
Step 1: Understand the roles of different RNA types in protein synthesis. Messenger RNA (mRNA) carries the genetic code from DNA in the nucleus to the cytoplasm, where proteins are made.
Step 2: Recognize that transfer RNA (tRNA) brings amino acids to the ribosome during protein synthesis but does not carry the coded message from the nucleus.
Step 3: Know that ribosomal RNA (rRNA) is a structural and functional component of ribosomes, facilitating the assembly of amino acids into proteins, but it does not carry the genetic code.
Step 4: Identify that the RNA species responsible for traveling from the nucleus to the cytoplasm carrying the coded message specifying the amino acid sequence is mRNA.
Step 5: Conclude that the correct answer is mRNA, as it is the RNA that transmits the genetic information needed for protein synthesis.

Verified video answer for a similar problem:

This video solution was recommended by our tutors as helpful for the problem above.
Video duration:
2m
Was this helpful?

Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Messenger RNA (mRNA)

mRNA is the RNA molecule that carries genetic information from DNA in the nucleus to the cytoplasm, where it serves as a template for protein synthesis. It contains codons that specify the sequence of amino acids in a protein.
Recommended video:
08:44
2) RNA Splicing Creates Mature mRNA

Transfer RNA (tRNA)

tRNA is responsible for bringing the correct amino acids to the ribosome during protein synthesis. Each tRNA recognizes specific codons on the mRNA through its anticodon and helps assemble the amino acid chain.
Recommended video:
06:16
Ribosomal tRNA Binding Sites

Ribosomal RNA (rRNA)

rRNA is a structural and functional component of ribosomes, the cellular machinery where proteins are synthesized. It helps catalyze the formation of peptide bonds between amino acids during translation.
Recommended video:
08:42
Ribosome Subunits