RNA is best described as which of the following?

• A. Ribonucleic acid that carries information from DNA to ribosomes
• B. A protein that catalyzes reactions
• C. A deoxyribonucleic acid variant
• D. A lipid involved in signaling

Answer: (A)

RNA is the ribonucleic acid that carries genetic information from DNA to the ribosome to guide protein synthesis. In cells, DNA holds the genetic blueprint, and messenger RNA copies that code during transcription. This mRNA then travels to ribosomes, where it serves as the template that determines the sequence of amino acids in a growing protein. That makes the statement describing RNA as a ribonucleic acid that transfers information from DNA to ribosomes the best choice. The other descriptions refer to a protein (not RNA), to DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) rather than RNA, or to a lipid (RNA is not a lipid).