RNA (Ribonucleic Acid)

RNA, or ribonucleic acid, is a molecule essential for life, similar to DNA. While DNA carries genetic instructions, RNA plays a crucial role in translating those instructions into proteins, which are vital for the functioning of all living cells. RNA can be thought of as a messenger that conveys information from the DNA in the nucleus to the cell's machinery, where proteins are made. There are different types of RNA, such as messenger RNA (mRNA), transfer RNA (tRNA), and ribosomal RNA (rRNA), each playing specific roles in the process of protein synthesis and gene expression.