RNA carries DNA’s instructions. The central dogma states that information flows in one direction from DNA to RNA to proteins. The central dogma includes three processes. RNA is a link between DNA and proteins. – Replication – Transcription – Translation replication transcription translation

Single nucleotide strand Sugar: Ribose 4 Bases: – A: Adenine – G: Guanine – C: Cytosine – U: Uracil U replaces T Three Types of RNA

mRNA Function: Reads the DNA (ATCG) and carries its message to a ribosome Location: Starts in nucleus… moves to ribosome

tRNA Function: Transfer amino acids found in the cytoplasm to the ribosome ATP needed Amino acids will be used to make a protein Location: Cytoplasm

rRNA Function: Used to build ribosomes Location: Cytoplasm Ribosome: Makes proteins

Transcription Defined: Process of making mRNA from DNA Step 1: RNA Polymerase separates the DNA nucleotides Step 2: Free floating RNA nucleotides match with the DNA Reminder: U replaces T Step 3: mRNA breaks free in separate pieces Step 4: mRNA processing takes place – Unused portions (introns) are removed and the used portions (exons) bond together Step 5: Final mRNA strand travels to ribosome Step 6: DNA recombines to be used again

Transcription Animation

RNA polymerase

DNA vs. RNA Double Stranded Sugar: Deoxyribose Bases: A T C G Location: Nucleus Single strand Sugar: Ribose Bases: A U C G Location: Nucleus & Cytoplasm Replicationvs. Transcription Complex enzymes are used Base pairing rules guide replication A=T, G=C Copies DNA Only one copy of DNA is made Location: Nucleus Complex enzymes are used Base pairing guide replication A=U, G=C Copies a gene Many copies and types of RNA are made Location: Nucleus