Rank the following in order of size: tRNA, DNA, mRNA.

Verified step by step guidance

1. tRNA, mRNA, and DNA are all types of nucleic acids, but they differ in size and function.
2. tRNA (transfer RNA) is relatively small, typically around 70-90 nucleotides long. It plays a role in protein synthesis by bringing amino acids to the ribosome.
3. mRNA (messenger RNA) varies in size, but it is generally larger than tRNA. It serves as a template for protein synthesis, carrying genetic information from DNA to the ribosome.
4. DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) is the largest of the three, consisting of long chains of nucleotides. It contains the genetic blueprint for an organism and can be millions of base pairs long in eukaryotic cells.
5. Therefore, the order from smallest to largest is: tRNA, mRNA, DNA.

Key Concepts

tRNA (Transfer RNA)

tRNA is a small RNA molecule, typically about 76 to 90 nucleotides long, that plays a crucial role in protein synthesis. It carries amino acids to the ribosome, where proteins are assembled according to the sequence of the mRNA. Due to its relatively short length, tRNA is the smallest among the three types of RNA mentioned.

mRNA (Messenger RNA)

mRNA is a single-stranded RNA molecule that serves as a template for protein synthesis. It is synthesized from DNA during transcription and varies in length, typically ranging from hundreds to thousands of nucleotides, depending on the gene it encodes. mRNA is larger than tRNA but smaller than DNA, making it the intermediate in size between the two.

DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid)

DNA is the hereditary material in all living organisms and is composed of two long strands forming a double helix. It contains the genetic instructions for the development, functioning, growth, and reproduction of all known organisms and many viruses. DNA molecules can be very large, often consisting of millions of nucleotides, making it the largest of the three types of nucleic acids.