The Central Dogma Raj Shah

DNA Replication  In order for cells to divide, we must replicate our DNA.  To do this, we start by unwinding our DNA double helix.  Next, an enzyme (DNA polymerase) attaches to one of the DNA strands and copies our DNA.  DNA polymerase proofreads itself, but mistakes still happen! These mistakes can lead to mutations in our body, but don’t worry, not all mutations are bad!  Once DNA polymerase is finished, it detaches from the DNA and the two strands form the DNA double helix.

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Transcription  Transcription is a necessary process to create a protein.  In transcription, we copy our DNA into another form called mRNA.  We unwind our DNA, and an enzyme called RNA polymerase attaches to our DNA.  RNA polymerase goes down the DNA strand and creates mRNA.  When the DNA tells RNA polymerase to stop, RNA polymerase detaches, and the mRNA exits the nucleus to continue the protein-making process.

Translation  Once the mRNA from transcription exits the nucleus, a molecule called a ribosome binds to it.  When the ribosome is bound, another molecule called tRNA binds to the ribosome.  Each tRNA contains a different amino acid (AA), which is the building block of a protein.  As the ribosome moves down the strand of mRNA, the old tRNA is released, and the new one binds. The AA from the old tRNA binds to the AA from the new tRNA.  Once the ribosome encounters the termination sequence on the mRNA, the ribosome dissociates, and the AA chain is released into the cell as a protein.

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