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 sequence as a template. It occurs in the cytoplasm.

Front

What are the four bases of RNA?

Back

The four bases of RNA are adenine (A), uracil (U), cytosine (C), and guanine (G).

Front

What is the role of mRNA?

Back

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

Front

What is the role of tRNA?

Back

tRNA (transfer RNA) carries amino acids to the ribosomes during protein synthesis, matching them to the corresponding codons on the mRNA.

Front

What is a codon?

Back

A codon is a sequence of three nucleotides in mRNA that specifies a particular amino acid.

Front

How many nucleotides are in a codon?

Back

There are three nucleotides in a codon.

Front

What is the start codon?

Back

The start codon is AUG, which signals the beginning of translation and codes for the amino acid methionine.

Front

What is the end codon?

Back

The end codon (stop codon) signals the termination of translation. There are three stop codons: UAA, UAG, and UGA.

Front

What is the function of ribosomes?

Back

Ribosomes are the cellular structures where protein synthesis occurs, translating mRNA into a polypeptide chain.