From DNA to Protein: Transcription and Translation
Gene Expression
Central Dogma
A common way to describe information flow in biology is DNA to RNA to protein. This means that the information in DNA is copied into RNA and then used to make proteins.
Transcription
Transcription is the process of making RNA from a DNA template. It happens when a gene is copied into messenger RNA.
Translation
Translation is the process of reading the mRNA code at the ribosome and assembling amino acids into a protein. The sequence of codons in mRNA determines the amino acid sequence.
Why Proteins Matter
Proteins do most of the work in cells. They can act as enzymes, provide structure, transport substances, and send signals.
What is transcription?
Transcription is the synthesis of RNA using DNA as a template.
Correct answer: Making RNA from DNA
What is translation in molecular biology?
Translation converts the nucleotide code into an amino acid sequence.
Correct answer: The process of using mRNA to assemble a protein at the ribosome.
What does the mRNA sequence help determine?
Codons in mRNA specify which amino acids are added during translation.
Correct answer: The amino acid sequence of a protein