Ribosomal RNA (rRNA)

• Ribosomal RNA (rRNA) is the most abundant type of RNA in the cell and makes up about 80% of the total cellular RNA.
• It is a single-stranded RNA and is considered the most stable form of RNA.
• Among the different types of RNA, rRNA has the highest molecular weight.
• rRNA is the structural and functional component of ribosomes, which are the sites of protein synthesis in the cell.
• It is present in the cytoplasm of both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells as part of ribosomes.

Molecular structure of rRNA

• rRNA helps in the formation of ribosomes by combining with ribosomal proteins.
• It plays an important role in protein synthesis by helping bind mRNA and tRNA to the ribosome.
• The unpaired bases of rRNA help in this binding, possibly through Mg²⁺ linkages between phosphate groups of the molecules.
• Thus, rRNA is not only a structural material but also helps ribosomes work properly during translation.

• Ribosomal RNA (rRNA) is the most abundant RNA, constituting about 80% of the total cellular RNA.
• It is single-stranded and the most stable form of RNA with the highest molecular weight.
• rRNA is a major structural and functional component of ribosomes.
• It helps bind mRNA and tRNA to ribosomes during protein synthesis, possibly through Mg²⁺ linkages.
• rRNA is present in the cytoplasm of both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.