Question

Which of the following types of RNA is present in the highest percentage proportion in a cell?

• A. tRNA
• B. mRNA
• C. rRNA
• D. mRNA and tRNA both

Answer 1

The correct option is C rRNA

Several kinds of RNAs are found in a cell. RNA is not only a genetic material to some viruses but plays a crucial role in some biochemical reactions where they act as a catalyst. RNAs have a broader range of functions and several classes are found in the cell. Based on function and molecular size, the three main RNAs are:

Messenger RNA or mRNA are the intermediaries, they carry genetic information from the sequence of the DNA to the ribosome. mRNAs comprise only 3.5% of the total RNA content.

Transfer RNA or tRNA: Transfer RNA or tRNA is a type of RNA molecule that decodes the mRNA sequence for the synthesis of protein. Protein is synthesised from the information zipped in the nucleotide sequence of the mRNA by the process of translation. This type of RNA comprises about 15% of the total RNA.

Ribosomal RNA or rRNA: Proportionally, the most abundant type of RNA found in a cell, is a component of the ribosomes that is formed in the nucleolus, which carries out the synthesis of protein. It comprises almost 80% of the total RNAs in a cell.