What are the differences between mRNA, rRNA, and tRNA?

Basis of differentiation

mRNA

rRNA

tRNA 

Definition

mRNA is a type of RNA molecule which carries a region of DNA code to other areas of the cell for processing

rRNA is a type of noncoding RNA molecule that is the primary component of ribosomes and acts as the organelle for translation

tRNA is a cloverleaf shaped RNA molecule that transfers a specific amino acid in the cytoplasm to the ribosome 

Shape

Linear shaped molecule

Sphere shaped molecule

Clover-leaf shaped molecule

Presence of codons or anticodons

Consists of codons

Does not have codons or anticodons

Consists of anticodons only 

Function

Carries the transcript DNA codes of polypeptides from the nucleus to ribosomes

Associated with specific proteins to generate ribosomes

Carries specific amino acids to the ribosome, aiding with translation

Size

mRNA makes up only 1-5% of the total cellular RNA in a particular cell and is typically 400 to 12,000 nucleotides in mammals

rRNA accounts for approximately 80% of cellular RNA in a cell and its size can be either 30S, 40S, 50S, and 60S

tRNA accounts for approximately 12-15% of cellular RNA and is 70-100 nucleotides in size 

Process of splicing and capping

Splicing and capping occurs in the mRNA

Splicing and capping does not occur in rRNA 

Splicing and capping does not occur in tRNA

Polysomal transcription process

mRNA is not formed as a result of polysomal transcription processes

rRNA is formed as a result of polysomal transcription processes 

tRNA is not formed as a result of polysomal transcription processes