What does mRNA stand for?

mRNA stands for "messenger ribonucleic acid." This term describes a type of RNA that plays a crucial role in the process of gene expression. Specifically, mRNA serves as the intermediary between DNA and protein synthesis. In eukaryotic cells, DNA is transcribed into mRNA, which then carries the genetic information from the nucleus to the ribosomes, where proteins are synthesized.

The term "messenger" is particularly appropriate because mRNA essentially conveys the blueprint for constructing proteins from the genetic code provided by DNA. Ribonucleic acid itself refers to the molecule's composition, which includes ribose as its sugar and the nitrogenous bases adenine, cytosine, guanine, and uracil. Understanding the nature and function of mRNA is fundamental in molecular biology, genetics, and biochemistry, given its critical role in protein synthesis.