RNA + Knowledge

The blueprint of life

The basis of life in its simplest form consists of four components: DNA, RNA, proteins and lipids. DNA and RNA are nucleic acids (DNA = Deoxyribonucleic Acid / RNA = Ribonucleic Acid) and are found in the cells of all living organisms. The tasks of nucleic acids are to store and transmit genetic information.

Proteins belong to the so-called macromolecules. Proteins perform important functions in our body by acting as enzymes, receptors, antibodies or as building blocks for skin, hair, connective tissue, muscles and bones. The blueprint for protein molecules is stored in the cell nucleus in the form of DNA. The DNA itself does not have the ability to build anything; it serves as a place of storage for information. To produce proteins, the blueprint in the DNA is first copied into another macromolecule, the RNA. The RNA is exported from the cell nucleus to the sites of protein synthesis, the ribosomes. Ribosomes read the RNA sequence and produce new protein molecules according to the blueprint.

Test what you have learned now
Control questions
The blueprints for protein production are called...
Choose an answer
Next question
Final evaluation
What is not a nucleic acid?
Choose an answer
Next question
Final evaluation
What is the function of ribosomes?
Choose an answer
Next question
Final evaluation
What is RNA?
Choose an answer
Next question
Final evaluation
What are genes?
Choose an answer
Next question
Final evaluation

You answered of questions correctly.

Back to the start
RNA + Knowledge

Mikrokosmos Zelle

Ein erwachsener Mensch besteht aus etwa 50 Billionen Zellen und jede einzelne Zelle ist ein kleines Universum.
RNA + Knowledge

DNA – Hüterin des Erbguts

Ob wir weiblich oder männlich sind, wie gross wir werden, welche Hautfarbe wir haben, ob unsere Haare braun, blond, gelockt oder glatt sind – das alles und viel mehr ist von Anfang an in unseren Zellen angelegt.
RNA + Knowledge

Split genes

This discovery provided one of the great surprises of 20th century molecular biology: genes of complex organisms are not present as continuous sections on DNA.
RNA + Knowledge

From gene to gene product: Gene expression

Whenever the cell requires a certain protein, the gene for this protein is transcribed into a messenger molecule, the mRNA (messenger ribonucleic acid).