RNA PRECURSOR Meaning and
Definition
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RNA precursor, also known as pre-RNA or primary RNA, refers to a molecule that undergoes various processes to ultimately form mature RNA. It is an intermediary molecule in the production of RNA, serving as a precursor or template for the synthesis of functional RNA molecules. The formation of RNA precursors occurs during transcription, which is a key step in gene expression.
During transcription, RNA polymerase interacts with a DNA template strand, initiating the synthesis of RNA molecules that are complementary to the DNA sequence. The initial product of transcription is the RNA precursor, which is an immature and unprocessed form of RNA. Before it can become a functional molecule, the precursor undergoes several modifications and processing steps.
These processing steps include the removal of non-coding regions called introns, which are intervening sequences that do not code for proteins, through a process called splicing. The remaining coding sequences, known as exons, are then joined together to form the mature mRNA molecule. Additionally, RNA precursors may also undergo other modifications, such as the addition of a cap structure to the 5' end and a poly(A) tail to the 3' end.
The processing of RNA precursors is crucial for the production of mature and functional RNA molecules that can carry out important cellular functions. By undergoing these modifications, RNA precursors are transformed into mature RNA molecules that can be used as templates for protein synthesis.
Common Misspellings for RNA PRECURSOR
- ena precursor
- dna precursor
- fna precursor
- tna precursor
- 5na precursor
- 4na precursor
- rba precursor
- rma precursor
- rja precursor
- rha precursor
- rnz precursor
- rns precursor
- rnw precursor
- rnq precursor
- rna orecursor
- rna lrecursor
- rna -recursor
- rna 0recursor
- rna peecursor
- rna pdecursor
Etymology of RNA PRECURSOR
The term "RNA precursor" is composed of two parts: "RNA" and "precursor".
1. RNA: The acronym "RNA" stands for "ribonucleic acid". The term was first coined in 1938 by Polish biochemist Phoebus Levene, who is known for his research on nucleic acids. The term "ribonucleic acid" was chosen to distinguish it from "deoxyribonucleic acid" (DNA), which had been discovered earlier.
2. Precursor: The word "precursor" has its roots in Latin. It comes from the combination of two Latin words: "prae" (meaning "before") and "cursus" (meaning "course" or "run"). In English, "precursor" refers to something that precedes another and serves as an indication of what is to follow.
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