Kaplan Nursing Entrance Practice Exam 2025 – The All-in-One Guide to Exam Success!

Transfer RNA, commonly abbreviated as tRNA, plays a crucial role in the synthesis of proteins by carrying amino acids to the ribosome, the site of protein assembly. Each tRNA molecule is specific to a particular amino acid and has an anticodon that pairs with the corresponding codon on the messenger RNA (mRNA). This function is essential in translating the genetic code carried by mRNA into a sequence of amino acids, thereby forming proteins that are vital for various cellular functions.

In contrast, ribosomal RNA (rRNA) makes up the structural and functional core of the ribosome and is vital for catalyzing protein synthesis. Messenger RNA (mRNA) serves as the template that conveys genetic information from DNA, dictating the order of amino acids in a protein. DNA, while crucial for storing genetic information, is not a type of RNA at all. Understanding these distinctions clarifies the specific roles each type of RNA plays in cellular processes, underscoring why transfer RNA is specifically identified as tRNA.