Page 237 - The Manga Guide to Biochemistry

The synthesized mRNA is called precursor mRNA. It undergoes a series of
chemical reactions and other processing* to become mature mRNA, which is
then transported from the nucleus to the cytoplasm and is soon delivered to a
ribosome.

Nucleus mRNA mRNA Ribosome

DNA

Nuclear
Pore

Cell Genetic mRNA is transported
information outside of the nucleus to
DNA strand is the cytoplasm through a
unwound. is copied nuclear pore and is soon
to mRNA. delivered to a ribosome!

So you can see why we call it a “messenger”: it’s transporting vital information
out of the stronghold of the nucleus.

* This process includes splicing, which removes intron parts (see page 227), and the addition
of a 5´ “cap” and a poly-A tail.

rRNA and tRNA

A ribosome is like a big protein-making machine consisting of several types
of RNA called ribosomal RNA (rRNA) and several dozen types of ribosomal
proteins.

They’re not as large as mitochondria or chloroplasts, though.

They may not look like much, but ribosomes are pretty darned impressive!

rRNA Ribosomal Ribosome!
proteins

Molecular Biology and the Biochemistry of Nucleic Acids 223