What is the central dogma of biology? Identify and describe the molecular processes that accomplish the flow of genetic information described in the central dogma.

Key Concepts

Central Dogma of Molecular Biology

The central dogma of molecular biology describes the flow of genetic information within a biological system. It outlines the process by which DNA is transcribed into RNA, which is then translated into proteins. This framework is fundamental for understanding how genetic information is expressed and regulated in living organisms.

Transcription

Transcription is the first step in the central dogma, where the DNA sequence of a gene is copied into messenger RNA (mRNA). This process occurs in the nucleus of eukaryotic cells and involves the enzyme RNA polymerase, which synthesizes the mRNA strand complementary to the DNA template. Transcription is crucial for converting genetic information into a format that can be translated into proteins.

Translation

Translation is the second step in the central dogma, where the mRNA produced during transcription is decoded to synthesize proteins. This process takes place in the ribosome, where transfer RNA (tRNA) molecules bring amino acids to the growing polypeptide chain based on the sequence of codons in the mRNA. Translation is essential for the expression of genes and the functioning of cells.