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

3280 Views

See similar Biology GCSE tutors

Related Biology GCSE answers

All answers ▸

Proteins are made according to information stored in the DNA structure of genes. Describe the structure of DNA and how DNA determines the structure or proteins-


What is the difference between xylem and phloem?


Why do plants grow towards sunlight?


Explain the difference between a passive process and an active process.


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning