What is the primary role of RNA in cells?

The primary role of RNA in cells is protein synthesis. RNA, or ribonucleic acid, serves as a critical intermediary between the genetic information encoded in DNA and the production of proteins, which are essential for numerous cellular functions.

During the process of transcription, a specific segment of DNA is copied into messenger RNA (mRNA), which then carries the genetic instructions from the nucleus to the ribosomes, the sites of protein synthesis. At the ribosomes, mRNA is translated into a specific sequence of amino acids, forming proteins. Additionally, in this process, transfer RNA (tRNA) brings the appropriate amino acids to the ribosome based on the sequence of the mRNA.

While DNA replication is essential for cell division and genetic inheritance, and cellular signaling and energy metabolism play roles in how cells interact with their environments and process energy, they are not the primary role associated with RNA. The fundamental connection between RNA and protein synthesis highlights RNA's importance in gene expression and cellular function.