What happens during transcription and translation?

Transcription and translation are both processes that are involved in converting nuclear DNA into proteins in eukaryotes, but they have two diifferent jobs. 1) Transcription The DNA sequence is first converted (transcribed) into messenger RNA (mRNA) inside the nucleus.  This transcription process is performed by polymerase enzymes. The mRNA that is produced is similar to DNA but uses the base Uracil (U) in the place of Thymine (T). Therefore, if we remember the rules of base-pairing, a sequence of DNA: ATTGGCA would be transcribed into mRNA with the sequence: UAACCGU. mRNA exits the nucleus. 2) Translation mRNA attaches to ribosomes on the rough endoplasmic reticulum or in the cytoplasm. Transfer RNA (tRNA) molecules transport a specific amino acid to the ribosome. tRNA anti-codons attach to complementary mRNA codons by base pairing. The amino acids are linked by peptide bonds to form a polypeptide. The tRNA breaks off from the amino acid chain and can be reused to transport another amino acid to the ribosome. To summarise: Transcription converts DNA into mRNA inside the nucleus. Translation converts mRNA into a polypeptide sequence on ribosomes. 

WF

Related Biology A Level answers

All answers ▸

Describe how HIV replicates in the human body


Describe the structure of glycogen and explain why it is a suitable molecule to store energy.


Explain the structure of cellulose


Cellular structure of the brain