Transcription and Translation

Front

What is transcription?

Back

Transcription is the process of copying a segment of DNA into RNA, specifically messenger RNA (mRNA), which carries the genetic information from the nucleus to the ribosome.

Front

What is translation?

Back

Translation is the process by which ribosomes synthesize proteins using the information carried by mRNA, translating the sequence of nucleotides into a sequence of amino acids.

Front

What is a codon?

Back

A codon is a sequence of three nitrogen bases on a molecule of mRNA that corresponds to a specific amino acid or a stop signal during protein synthesis.

Front

What is the role of mRNA?

Back

mRNA (messenger RNA) carries the genetic information from DNA in the nucleus to the ribosomes in the cytoplasm, where proteins are synthesized.

Front

What is the role of tRNA?

Back

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

Front

What is the role of rRNA?

Back

rRNA (ribosomal RNA) is a structural component of ribosomes, facilitating the assembly of amino acids into proteins.

Front

What is a stop codon?

Back

A stop codon is a nucleotide triplet within mRNA that signals the termination of translation, indicating that the protein synthesis is complete.

Front

How many amino acids are coded by a sequence of nucleotides?

Back

Each codon (three nucleotides) codes for one amino acid. Therefore, the number of amino acids is equal to the total number of nucleotides divided by three.

Front

What is the difference between DNA and RNA?

Back

DNA is double-stranded and contains the sugar deoxyribose, while RNA is single-stranded and contains the sugar ribose. DNA stores genetic information, whereas RNA plays a role in protein synthesis.

Front

What is the central dogma of molecular biology?

Back

The central dogma describes the flow of genetic information from DNA to RNA (transcription) and from RNA to protein (translation).