Lecture Notes: Transcription and Translation

Key Concepts

What is Transcription?

• Transcription is the process by which mRNA is made from DNA.
• Takes place in the nucleus.
• Converts DNA into mRNA.

What is Translation?

• Translation is the process of converting mRNA into a protein.
• Takes place in the cytoplasm.

Important Elements

mRNA

• Carries the genetic code from DNA to the ribosomes.
• Made during transcription.
• Found in the nucleus and moves to the cytoplasm.

tRNA

• Used in translation.
• Uses anticodons to match to the mRNA.
• Attaches amino acids into a chain.
• Found in the cytoplasm.

rRNA

• Makes up the ribosome.

Amino Acids

• Make up proteins.

Additional Details

• RNA uses uracil instead of thymine (found in DNA).
• RNA can leave the nucleus, unlike DNA.
• Proteins are made at the ribosome.

Practice Questions and Answers

1. mRNA is made during (transcription/translation): Transcription
2. mRNA is made in the (cytoplasm/nucleus): Nucleus
3. DNA is located in the (nucleus/cytoplasm): Nucleus
4. (mRNA/rRNA) is used to carry the genetic code from DNA to the ribosomes: mRNA
5. (tRNA/rRNA) makes up the ribosome: rRNA
6. (DNA/RNA) uses uracil instead of thymine: RNA
7. (RNA/amino) acids make up a protein: Amino
8. Transcription takes place in the (nucleus/cytoplasm): Nucleus
9. tRNA is used in (translation/transcription): Translation
10. tRNA uses (anticodons/codons) to match to the mRNA: Anticodons
11. Proteins are made at the (nucleus/ribosome): Ribosome
12. (tRNA/mRNA) attaches the amino acids into a chain: tRNA
13. tRNA is found in the (nucleus/cytoplasm): Cytoplasm
14. (Translation/Transcription) converts mRNA into a protein: Translation
15. Translation takes place in the (cytoplasm/nucleus): Cytoplasm
16. (DNA/RNA) can leave the nucleus: RNA
17. (Translation/Transcription) converts DNA into mRNA: Transcription