How does transcription work?

Transcription is the first step of protein synthesis and occurs within the nucleus of the cell. Within the cell's nucleus is the DNA. Firstly an enzyme called DNA Helicase 'unzips' the two DNA strands separating them. It does this by breaking the hydrogen bonds between the complementary base pairs of the DNA (A /T and C/G). There are also free RNA nucleotides within the nucleus which will be used to make an RNA copy of the template DNA strand (the strand you want to copy). These are the same as the nucleotides making up DNA (C,G,U,T) apart from there is U instead of T. These free nucleotides pair with their complementary base on the template DNA strand by complementary base pairing forming hydrogen bonds. The enzyme RNA polymerase joins the nucleotides together. This forms the premRNA copy. This is converted to mRNA through splicing where the non coding introns are removed.

CK
Answered by Charlotte K. Biology tutor

2587 Views

See similar Biology GCSE tutors

Related Biology GCSE answers

All answers ▸

How can I differentiate prokatyotic and eukaryotic cells?


Explain why the rate of reaction slows down above the enzyme's optimum temperature.


Explain the similarities and differences between plant and animal cells structure and shape (may include use of a diagram and bullet points are accepted).


Describe how water moves from the soil into a root hair cell


We're here to help

contact us iconContact usWhatsapp logoMessage us on Whatsapptelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

© MyTutorWeb Ltd 2013–2025

Terms & Conditions|Privacy Policy
Cookie Preferences