RNA Structure : Ribosomal RNA

There are three major types of RNA that participate in the process of protein synthesis: rRNA, tRNA, and mRNA. Like DNA, these RNA are unbranched polymeric molecules composed of nucleoside monophosphates joined together by 3′→5′-phosphodiester bonds . However, they differ from DNA in several ways. For example, they are considerably smaller than DNA, contain ribose instead of deoxyribose and uracil instead of thymine, and exist as single strands that are capable of folding into complex structures. The three major types of RNA also differ from each other in size, function, and special structural modifications. [Note: In eukaryotes, additional small ncRNA molecules found in the nucleolus (snoRNA), nucleus (snRNA), and cytoplasm (microRNA [miRNA]) perform specialized functions .]
Ribosomal RNA
rRNA are found in association with several proteins as components of the ribosomes, the complex structures that serve as the sites for protein synthesis ). Prokaryotic cells contain three distinct size species of rRNA (23S, 16S, and 5S, where S is the Svedberg unit for sedimentation rate that is determined by the size and shape of the particle), as shown in Figure 1. Eukaryotic cells contain four rRNA species (28S, 18S, 5.8S, and 5S). Together, rRNA make up ~80% of the total RNA in the cell. [Note: Some RNA function as catalysts, for example, an rRNA in protein synthesis (see p. 455). RNA with catalytic activity is termed a ribozyme.]

Figure 1:  Prokaryotic and eukaryotic ribosomal RNA (rRNA). S = Svedberg unit.

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