Humber Admissions Practice Test

Which type of RNA is primarily responsible for carrying genetic information from the nucleus to ribosomes?

1. Transfer RNA

2. Ribosomal RNA

3. Messenger RNA

4. Micro RNA

The correct answer is: Messenger RNA

The correct choice highlights the role of messenger RNA (mRNA) in the process of gene expression. Messenger RNA is a crucial component of the central dogma of molecular biology, as it serves as the intermediary that conveys genetic instructions from DNA, which is located in the nucleus, to the ribosomes in the cytoplasm where proteins are synthesized. During the process of transcription, the genetic information stored in a specific segment of DNA is transcribed into mRNA. This mRNA then exits the nucleus and travels to the ribosomes, where it serves as a template for translation. The ribosome reads the sequence of nucleotides in the mRNA, and this sequence is translated into a corresponding sequence of amino acids, ultimately forming proteins that are essential for various cellular functions. The other types of RNA mentioned have different roles. Transfer RNA (tRNA) carries amino acids to the ribosome and matches them to the codons on mRNA during translation. Ribosomal RNA (rRNA) is a structural and functional component of ribosomes themselves, playing a key role in the assembly of proteins but not in carrying genetic information. Micro RNA (miRNA) is involved in the regulation of gene expression and does not directly carry genetic information from the nucleus to the rib