How many types of RNA are there?

There are three main types of RNA. They are messenger RNA (mRNA), ribosomal RNA (rRNA) and transfer RNA (tRNA). These three types of molecules perform different functions in gene coding and regulation.

Messenger RNA holds a code containing the primary sequence of amino acids that are meant to be copied. It carries the amino acid code into the cytoplasm, where the synthesis procedure begins. Ribosomal RNA serves as the synthesis site and holds the enzymes that support the synthesis procedure. Finally, transfer RNA carries nucleotides and a single amino acid, allowing it to read the code carried by mRNA and respond with the appropriate amino acid for each part of the chain.