RNA

ribonucleic acid: a nucleic acid that directs the synthesis of protein molecules in living cells. There are three main types of RNA. Messenger RNA carries the genetic code from the cell nucleus to the cytoplasm. Ribosomal RNA is found in ribosomes, small particles where proteins are assembled from amino acids. Transfer RNA carries specific amino acids for protein synthesis. Each of the 20 amino acids has a corresponding transfer RNA molecule to place the amino acid in the proper sequence in protein assembly. RNA is similar to DNA in structure except that it consists of a single strand of nucleotides (compared with the double strands of DNA), the base uracil (U) occurs instead of thymine (T), and the sugar unit is ribose, rather than deoxyribose.

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Psychology term of the day

December 19th 2024

Monte Carlo research

a simulation technique in which a large number of samples with specific selected properties (e.g., normality, size, model type) are generated by computer in order to assess the behavior of a statistical procedure or parameter under varying conditions. For example, an investigator might conduct Monte Carlo research with a large number of normally distributed samples of various sizes (e.g., N = 50, 100, 200, 400, 800) in which a structural model is applied to characterize the data. Results would help the researcher determine the conditions under which the model behaves correctly (i.e., fits the data) as well as shows its limits (e.g., not fitting well with sample sizes less than 200). Also called Monte Carlo method.