Which type of RNA carries the encoded messages for protein synthesis?

Messenger RNA (mRNA) is the type of RNA that carries the encoded messages for protein synthesis. It is synthesized from DNA during the process of transcription, where a specific segment of DNA is copied into RNA. The role of mRNA is crucial because it serves as a template for translating the genetic code into amino acids, which are the building blocks of proteins.

During translation, the sequence of nucleotides in the mRNA is read by ribosomes, and this dictates the order in which amino acids are added to form a polypeptide chain. This process is essential for the synthesis of proteins, which perform a wide array of functions within living organisms.

In contrast, transfer RNA (tRNA) is responsible for bringing the appropriate amino acids to the ribosome during protein synthesis, while ribosomal RNA (rRNA) combines with proteins to form the ribosome itself, acting as the site of translation. Small nuclear RNA (snRNA) is involved in RNA splicing, a process that modifies pre-mRNA before it becomes mature mRNA. Thus, mRNA's unique role in carrying the genetic information from the nucleus to the cytoplasm for protein production establishes its importance in the central dogma of molecular biology.