Quiz: Can You Solve These RNA Riddles?

#1. Nucleotides are the building blocks of RNA and which other type of molecule?

A. Lipid B. DNA C. Protein D. Carbohydrate

The correct answer is B. Nucleotides have three components: a base, a phosphate molecule, and a sugar molecule. DNA nucleotides use deoxyribose as the sugar, while RNA nucleotides use ribose. Learn more about the basics of RNA and its relationship to DNA in our Science Snippet.

#2. True or false: Enzymes can modify RNA molecules and affect how they work.

A. True B. False

The correct answer is A. RNA-modifying enzymes can make changes to an RNA molecule that affect its shape, overall stability, processing, splicing, export from the nucleus to the cytoplasm, and translation to a protein. To find out more about these enzymes, read our Q&A With Jeffrey Mudridge, Ph.D.

#3. _________ can destroy messenger RNA (mRNA) in human cells and hijack the cells' protein-making machinery.

A. Ions B. Flagella C. Tardigrades D. Viruses

The correct answer is D. Viruses can destroy human mRNA; this frees up cellular machinery to make viral proteins. Mandy Muller, Ph.D., studies how some human mRNA molecules escape viral attacks, which could help researchers develop treatments for viral infections. Learn more in our Biomedical Beat post about Dr. Muller.

#4. Which of the following structures use RNA molecules as instructions to build proteins?

A. Mitochondria B. Lysosomes C. Ribosomes D. Microtubules

The correct answer is C. Ribosomes translate RNA molecules into proteins. Eda Koculi, Ph.D., studies how bacteria build ribosomes. Most antibiotics target ribosomes, so this knowledge could help researchers better understand and overcome antibiotic resistance. Dr. Koculi also investigates how modifications to RNA are involved in cancer. Check out our Biomedical Beat post about her work to learn more.

#5. The first publicly available vaccines that use mRNA protect against which illness?

A. COVID-19 B. Yellow fever C. Polio D. Flu

The correct answer is A. mRNA COVID-19 vaccines contain mRNA that codes for the spike protein of the virus that causes the illness. Our cells translate the mRNA into spike proteins, which the immune system reacts to and destroys. In the process, the immune system generates specialized cells that “remember” the spike protein, allowing a swift immune reaction in a vaccinated person who is exposed to the virus.

Notice

National Institute of
General Medical Sciences

National Institute of General Medical Sciences
Biomedical Beat Blog

#1. Nucleotides are the building blocks of RNA and which other type of molecule?

#2. True or false: Enzymes can modify RNA molecules and affect how they work.

#3. _________ can destroy messenger RNA (mRNA) in human cells and hijack the cells' protein-making machinery.

#4. Which of the following structures use RNA molecules as instructions to build proteins?

#5. The first publicly available vaccines that use mRNA protect against which illness?

About the Author

Heather Hayes