Genetic Information Flow Description

DNA Replication

Process of copying a DNA molecule to produce two identical DNA molecules; occurs in the nucleus of eukaryotic cells.

Transcription

Process of transcribing DNA into RNA; occurs in the nucleus of eukaryotic cells.

Translation

Process of translating RNA into protein; occurs in the cytoplasm at the ribosomes.

Initiation (DNA Replication)

Begins at origins of replication with helicases unwinding the DNA double helix to create a replication fork.

Elongation (DNA Replication)

DNA polymerase adds complementary nucleotides to original strands, creating two new identical DNA molecules.

Termination (DNA Replication)

Replication ends when the entire DNA molecule is copied, resulting in two DNA molecules with one original and one new strand each.

Initiation (Transcription)

RNA polymerase binds to the promoter region of DNA, allowing access to the template strand for RNA synthesis.

Elongation (Transcription)

RNA polymerase reads the DNA template and synthesizes a single-stranded RNA molecule by adding complementary RNA nucleotides.

Termination (Transcription)

Transcription ends at a terminator sequence, leading to the detachment of mRNA from the DNA template.

Initiation (Translation)

mRNA attaches to a ribosome in the cytoplasm, and the start codon (AUG) initiates protein synthesis.

Elongation (Translation)

tRNA molecules bring amino acids to the ribosome, forming peptide bonds between amino acids to create a polypeptide chain.

Termination (Translation)

Translation stops at a stop codon (UAA, UAG, or UGA) on mRNA, leading to the release of the completed polypeptide chain.

Central Dogma of Molecular Biology

Concept summarizing the flow of genetic information: DNA is transcribed into RNA, which is translated into protein.