16S ribosomal RNA

16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) is a component of the small subunit of ribosomes—the molecular machines that produce proteins in bacteria and other microorganisms. It acts as a scaffold, helping assemble and stabilize the ribosome's structure, and also plays a role in translating genetic information into proteins. Because the 16S rRNA gene sequences are highly conserved among bacteria but also contain variable regions, scientists use it as a molecular marker to identify and classify different bacterial species, making it a vital tool in microbiology and microbial ecology.