Transcription and Translation

Front

What is transcription?

Back

Transcription is the process of copying a segment of DNA into RNA. It occurs in the nucleus and results in the formation of messenger RNA (mRNA).

Front

What is translation?

Back

Translation is the process by which ribosomes synthesize proteins using the mRNA transcript. It involves decoding the mRNA into a sequence of amino acids.

Front

What is mRNA?

Back

mRNA (messenger RNA) is a type of RNA that carries the genetic information from DNA to the ribosomes, where proteins are synthesized.

Front

What is tRNA?

Back

tRNA (transfer RNA) is a type of RNA that transports amino acids to the ribosome during protein synthesis, matching them to the coded mRNA sequence.

Front

What is a codon?

Back

A codon is a sequence of three nucleotides in mRNA that corresponds to a specific amino acid or a stop signal during protein synthesis.

Front

What is a stop codon?

Back

A stop codon is a codon that signals the termination of protein synthesis. Examples include UAA, UAG, and UGA.

Front

Where does transcription occur?

Back

Transcription occurs in the nucleus of eukaryotic cells.

Front

Where does translation occur?

Back

Translation occurs at the ribosomes, which can be found in the cytoplasm or on the rough endoplasmic reticulum.

Front

What is the role of ribosomes in translation?

Back

Ribosomes are the cellular machinery that facilitate the decoding of mRNA and the assembly of amino acids into proteins.

Front

What is the genetic code?

Back

The genetic code is the set of rules by which information encoded in mRNA is translated into proteins, consisting of codons that specify amino acids.