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RNA Definition

Definition of RNA

By Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D., About.com

RNA Definition: RNA is the acronym for ribonucleic acid. Forms of RNA include messenger RNA (mRNA), transfer RNA (tRNA), and ribosomal RNA (rRNA). RNA codes for amino acid sequences, which may be combined to form proteins. Where DNA is used, RNA acts as an intermediary, transcribing the DNA code so that it can be translated into proteins.

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