Term

Describe the process of transcription

Definition

RNA polymerase binds to the DNA at the start of a gene * Hydrogen bonds between base pairs break, causing DNA to unwind and strands to separate * One strand acts as the template (antisense strand) * Complementary RNA nucleotides bind by base pairing (A–U, C–G) * RNA polymerase joins nucleotides together forming phosphodiester bonds → mRNA strand forms * mRNA detaches and leaves the nucleus through nuclear pores

Term

Describe the process of translation.

Definition

mRNA attaches to a ribosome in the cytoplasm * Ribosome reads mRNA in triplets called codons * tRNA molecules carry specific amino acids to the ribosome * Each tRNA has an anticodon complementary to the mRNA codon * Ribosome forms peptide bonds between adjacent amino acids → polypeptide chain forms * Process continues until a stop codon is reached and the protein is released