See Also:

RNA (iou)



RNA noun. M20.
[Abbreviation of RIBONUCLEIC acid.]
Biology. Any of the nucleic acids which yield ribose on hydrolysis, occurring chiefly in the cytoplasm of cells, where they direct the synthesis of proteins, and as the genetic material in some viruses. Freq. with specifying word or letter, as mRNA, tRNA. Cf. DNA.
MESSENGER RNA. RIBOSOMAL RNA. transfer RNA: see TRANSFER noun.
Comb.: RNA virus a virus in which the genetic information is stored in the form of RNA.
RNase noun an enzyme which breaks RNA up into smaller molecules, a ribonuclease M20.