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Is TB RNA or DNA?

Published in Microbiology 1 min read

TB (Tuberculosis) is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Bacteria, including Mycobacterium tuberculosis, possess both DNA and RNA. Therefore, TB is associated with both RNA and DNA.

Explanation

Mycobacterium tuberculosis, like all living organisms, requires both DNA and RNA for its survival and function.

  • DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid): This is the genetic material of the bacterium, carrying the instructions for all cellular processes. It contains the genes that determine the characteristics and functions of Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

  • RNA (Ribonucleic acid): RNA plays multiple roles, primarily in protein synthesis. Different types of RNA, such as mRNA (messenger RNA), tRNA (transfer RNA), and rRNA (ribosomal RNA), are involved in translating the genetic information encoded in DNA into proteins, which carry out various functions within the bacterium.

The provided reference notes that Mycobacterium tuberculosis cultures contain both RNA and DNA, with relatively small amounts of RNA compared to DNA.

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