Transcription and RNA Processing

transcription

The process that creates an RNA molecule from information stored in a gene. spontaneous because the substrates involved are ribonucleotide triphosphates (NTPs), which have high potential energy

translation

The process that uses the information in messenger RNA (mRNA) to synthesize a protein

mRNA

temporary and portable version of information stored within a gene

template strand

The strand in a DNA double helix that is “read” by RNA polymerase during transcription.

non-template strand

The strand in a DNA double helix that matches the sequence of bases in the RNA product of transcription, except that the DNA contains thymine (T) and the RNA contains uracil (U). also known as the coding strand

promoter

The regulatory sequence in a gene or operon where RNA polymerase initiates transcription