A type of nucleic acid consisting of nucleotide monomers with a ribose sugar and the nitrogenous bases adenine (A), cytosine (C), guanine (G), and uracil (U); usually single-stranded; functions in protein synthesis and as the genome of some viruses.

• A. Ribonucleic Acid
• B. Messenger RNA (mRNA)
• C. Hydrophilic
• D. Solvent

Answer: (A)

RNA is a nucleic acid built from ribonucleotides that include a ribose sugar and the bases adenine, cytosine, guanine, and uracil. The presence of uracil (instead of thymine) and the ribose sugar distinguishes it from DNA, and RNA is usually single-stranded. It plays essential roles in protein synthesis, with messenger RNA carrying genetic information from DNA to ribosomes, and it forms part of the molecular machinery for making proteins (along with ribosomal and transfer RNAs). Some viruses have RNA genomes, meaning their genetic material is RNA rather than DNA. The other terms describe properties or substances rather than a nucleic acid, so RNA fits the description best.