What type of RNA is involved in protein synthesis?

Messenger RNA (mRNA) plays a crucial role in protein synthesis by serving as the template for translating genetic information from DNA into proteins. During transcription, mRNA is synthesized from a DNA template in the nucleus. It carries the genetic code necessary for constructing proteins by specifying the sequence of amino acids.

Once the mRNA is formed, it exits the nucleus and enters the cytoplasm, where it interacts with ribosomes—the cellular machinery responsible for translation. The ribosomes read the sequence of codons on the mRNA and, with the help of transfer RNA (tRNA), facilitate the assembly of the correct amino acids to form a polypeptide chain, ultimately folding into a functional protein.

In contrast, while ribosomal RNA (rRNA) and transfer RNA (tRNA) are essential components of the protein synthesis process, they function differently. rRNA is a structural and functional component of ribosomes, while tRNA is responsible for bringing the appropriate amino acids to the ribosome during translation. Small nuclear RNA (snRNA) is involved in splicing and processing pre-mRNA and does not have a direct role in protein synthesis. Thus, mRNA is the specific type of RNA that carries the genetic instructions from DNA to the ribosome for protein synthesis