Transcription

Transcription

The information contained in the DNA is copied into a complementary strand of RNA (ribonucleic acid)

This RNA copy is called

mRNA

RNA processing

the mRNA copy needs to be modified (cleaned-up) before it leaves the nucleus - Does not occur in prokaryotic cells

Translation

Ribosomes read the mRNA and make a protein

Constitutive genes

Some genes are transcribed continuously independent of cell health or environmental conditions

Example: ATP synthase, actin, tubulin

Regulated expression

Allows for much tighter control of gene expression - Signal from outside or inside the cell starts the whole process

All genes (eukaryotic and prokaryotic) have a unique region of DNA sequence upstream of (before) the transcriptional start site that serves as a binding site for the ____________(makes RNA)

RNA polymerase

Promoter Recognition

Tells the cell where the gene of interest is

This is critical – transcribing the wrong gene could be deadly

- Each gene has a unique promoter sequence

Tell RNA polymerase

Analogy: Front cover of a book