What is the difference between transcription and translation?

General
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what is the difference between transcription and translation?

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What is the difference between transcription and translation?

Transcription:
Transcription is a process that occurs in the nucleus of a cell. It involves the synthesis of RNA (ribonucleic acid) molecules from a DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) template. This process is catalyzed by an enzyme called RNA polymerase. Here are the key steps involved in transcription:

  1. Initiation: RNA polymerase binds to a specific region of the DNA called the promoter. This signals the beginning of transcription.

  2. Elongation: The RNA polymerase moves along the DNA template, synthesizing a complementary RNA strand by adding nucleotides according to the base-pairing rules (A-U, G-C).

  3. Termination: Transcription continues until the RNA polymerase encounters a termination signal in the DNA sequence, causing it to release the RNA transcript and detach from the DNA.

The resulting RNA molecule, known as messenger RNA (mRNA), carries the genetic information from the DNA to the ribosomes in the cytoplasm for translation.

Translation:
Translation is the process by which the genetic information carried by mRNA is decoded to produce proteins. It occurs in the cytoplasm, specifically on ribosomes. Translation involves the following steps:

  1. Initiation: The small ribosomal subunit binds to the mRNA molecule at the start codon (usually AUG), which signals the beginning of translation. Then, the initiator tRNA molecule carrying the amino acid methionine binds to the start codon.

  2. Elongation: The ribosome moves along the mRNA molecule in a 5’ to 3’ direction, and as it does so, it reads the mRNA codons in groups of three (codons). Each codon specifies a particular amino acid. Transfer RNA (tRNA) molecules, each carrying a specific amino acid, bind to their complementary codons on the mRNA. The ribosome catalyzes the formation of peptide bonds between adjacent amino acids, forming a growing polypeptide chain.

  3. Termination: Translation continues until a stop codon (UAA, UAG, or UGA) is reached on the mRNA. When a stop codon is encountered, a release factor binds to the ribosome, causing the completed polypeptide chain to be released. The ribosome then dissociates from the mRNA.

The resulting polypeptide chain undergoes further folding and processing to form a functional protein.

Key Differences:

  1. Location: Transcription occurs in the nucleus, while translation occurs in the cytoplasm.
  2. Molecules Involved: Transcription involves the synthesis of RNA molecules from a DNA template, whereas translation involves the synthesis of proteins from an mRNA template.
  3. Enzymes: Transcription is catalyzed by RNA polymerase, while translation is facilitated by ribosomes and various protein factors.
  4. End Product: The end product of transcription is an RNA molecule (typically mRNA), whereas the end product of translation is a polypeptide chain, which may undergo further modifications to become a functional protein.