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 is the first step in gene expression.

Front

What is translation?

Back

Translation is the process of converting the sequence of a messenger RNA (mRNA) molecule into a sequence of amino acids during protein synthesis.

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 translation. Examples include UAA, UAG, and UGA.

Front

What is a start codon?

Back

A start codon is the first codon of a messenger RNA (mRNA) transcript that is translated by a ribosome. The most common start codon is AUG, which codes for methionine.

Front

What role does tRNA play in translation?

Back

Transfer RNA (tRNA) transports amino acids to the ribosome during translation, matching its anticodon with the corresponding codon on the mRNA.

Front

What is the significance of the genetic code?

Back

The genetic code is a set of rules that defines how the sequence of nucleotides in DNA and RNA is translated into the amino acid sequence of proteins.

Front

What is the function of ribosomes in protein synthesis?

Back

Ribosomes are the cellular machinery that facilitate the translation of mRNA into proteins by linking amino acids together in the order specified by the mRNA.

Front

What is the difference between mRNA and tRNA?

Back

mRNA (messenger RNA) carries the genetic information from DNA to the ribosome, while tRNA (transfer RNA) brings the appropriate amino acids to the ribosome during translation.

Front

What is an amino acid?

Back

An amino acid is a building block of proteins, consisting of an amino group, a carboxyl group, and a side chain that determines its properties.