Which RNA type is primarily a structural and catalytic component of ribosomes?

Which RNA type is primarily a structural and catalytic component of ribosomes?

• A. rRNA (ribosomal RNA)
• B. tRNA (transfer RNA)
• C. ncRNA (non-coding RNA)
• D. mRNA (messenger RNA)

Answer: (A)

Ribosomal RNA forms the essential scaffold of the ribosome and carries out the chemical reaction that links amino acids during protein synthesis. The active site that catalyzes peptide bond formation is provided by the rRNA itself, making the ribosome a ribozyme. While ribosomal proteins help stabilize the structure and support function, the catalytic power comes from the RNA component. Transfer RNA, on the other hand, delivers specific amino acids to the growing chain; messenger RNA carries the code that specifies the sequence of amino acids; non-coding RNAs include various regulatory roles but are not the primary catalytic component of the ribosome. Therefore, the RNA type that is both structural and catalytic in ribosomes is the ribosomal RNA.

Ribosomal RNA forms the essential scaffold of the ribosome and carries out the chemical reaction that links amino acids during protein synthesis. The active site that catalyzes peptide bond formation is provided by the rRNA itself, making the ribosome a ribozyme. While ribosomal proteins help stabilize the structure and support function, the catalytic power comes from the RNA component.

Transfer RNA, on the other hand, delivers specific amino acids to the growing chain; messenger RNA carries the code that specifies the sequence of amino acids; non-coding RNAs include various regulatory roles but are not the primary catalytic component of the ribosome. Therefore, the RNA type that is both structural and catalytic in ribosomes is the ribosomal RNA.