ribonucleic acid

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ribonucleic acid" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in scientific contexts, particularly in biology and genetics, to refer to the molecule that carries genetic information in cells. Example: "Ribonucleic acid plays a crucial role in the synthesis of proteins within the cell."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Ribonucleic acid (RNA) is found in all cells.

Angewandte Chemie - International Edition

Ribonucleic acid.

The New York Times - Science

Ribonucleic Acid (RNA) structure.

Stanford University

Their genetic code is made of RNA, ribonucleic acid.

The New York Times

Regulation of the biosynthesis of aminoacyl-transfer ribonucleic acid synthetases and of transfer-ribonucleic acid in Escherichia coli.

Yale University

The genes of the influenza virus are carried in RNA, or ribonucleic acid.

The New Yorker

Total ribonucleic acid was extracted, messenger ribonucleic acid was isolated, and complementary deoxyribonucleic acid was synthesized.

American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology

The other major nucleic acid is ribonucleic acid (RNA).

Encyclopedia Britannica

The transcription of genes results in the formation of messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) molecules.

Britannica

Creation of a cDNA library begins with messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) instead of DNA.

Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Agris, P. F., Soll, D. & Seno, T. Biological function of 2-thiouridine in Escherichia coli glutamic acid transfer ribonucleic acid.

Nature

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing for a general audience, define "ribonucleic acid" as RNA on first use. For scientific audiences, "RNA" is acceptable.

Common error

Avoid using "ribonucleic acid" (RNA) and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) interchangeably. RNA's primary function is in protein synthesis, while DNA stores genetic information.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ribonucleic acid" functions primarily as a noun, specifically a common noun, referring to a class of molecules essential for genetic coding, decoding, regulation and expression. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

53%

News & Media

18%

Encyclopedias

13%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "ribonucleic acid" refers to a molecule crucial for genetic coding, decoding, regulation, and expression. Commonly abbreviated as RNA, Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically correct and frequently used in scientific contexts. While generally formal and scientific, it is also found in news and encyclopedias. For clarity, it's advisable to define "ribonucleic acid" as RNA upon its initial use in general writing. Key related phrases include RNA, RNA molecule, and genetic material.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

RNA

This is the common abbreviation for ribonucleic acid.

RNA molecule

This phrase explicitly specifies that RNA is a molecule.

Ribose nucleic acid

This phrase expands the abbreviation, emphasizing the components.

Genetic RNA

This specifies the genetic role of RNA.

messenger RNA

This refers to a specific type of RNA involved in protein synthesis.

transfer RNA

This refers to a specific type of RNA involved in protein synthesis.

ribosomal RNA

This refers to a specific type of RNA involved in protein synthesis.

nucleic acid

This is a broader term that includes both DNA and RNA.

genetic material

This term refers to the material (DNA or RNA) that carries genetic information.

the RNA genome

This specifies that RNA acts as the genome in certain viruses.

FAQs

What is the primary function of "ribonucleic acid" (RNA)?

The primary function of "ribonucleic acid" (RNA) is in the transcription of genetic material and the subsequent synthesis of proteins.

How does "ribonucleic acid" (RNA) differ from deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)?

RNA has ribose in place of deoxyribose, and uracil in place of thymine. DNA is the master blueprint for life and constitutes the genetic material in all free-living organisms and most viruses, while RNA's primary function is in the transcription of genetic material and the subsequent synthesis of proteins.

What are some different types of "ribonucleic acid" (RNA)?

Different types of RNA include messenger RNA (mRNA), transfer RNA (tRNA), and ribosomal RNA (rRNA). Each plays a specific role in protein synthesis.

When is it appropriate to use the abbreviation "RNA" instead of "ribonucleic acid"?

The abbreviation "RNA" is generally acceptable in scientific contexts or after "ribonucleic acid" has been defined. In more formal or general writing, it's best to use the full term on first mention.