1. Transcription: In the nucleus of a cell, transcription takes place. Here, the gene's DNA sequence is replicated into a complementary RNA (Ribonucleic Acid) molecule by an enzyme called RNA polymerase. This produces a primary RNA transcript that carries the genetic information of the gene.
2. Translation: The RNA transcript synthesized during transcription serves as the template for the translation process. This occurs in the cytoplasm, where the primary RNA transcript encounters the ribosome, a large protein assembly in the cell. During translation, the RNA transcript is "read" in triplets called codons. Each codon corresponds to a specific amino acid building block required to create a protein. Transfer RNA (tRNA) molecules carry the appropriate amino acids to the ribosome, and the amino acids are sequentially added to a growing polypeptide chain. Step by step, the RNA transcript is decoded, and the protein product is synthesized until a stop codon is reached.
Ultimately, the protein made through gene expression folds into a specific shape based on the amino acid sequence, allowing it to function in the cell and carry out various biological processes.
