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RNA, or ribonucleic acid, is a nucleic acid that plays a vital role in various biological processes. It is similar to DNA in terms of its chemical composition, consisting of a sugar-phosphate backbone and nitrogenous bases. However, RNA differs from DNA in several key aspects. Firstly, RNA typically consists of a single strand, while DNA is double-stranded. Secondly, the sugar component of RNA is ribose, whereas the sugar component of DNA is deoxyribose. Lastly, RNA contains the base uracil instead of thymine, which is found in DNA. RNA is involved in diverse functions such as protein synthesis, gene regulation, and cellular communication. Different types of RNA molecules, including messenger RNA (mRNA), ribosomal RNA (rRNA), and transfer RNA (tRNA), each have specific roles in carrying out these functions.