Here's a breakdown:
* Gene expression is the process by which genetic information encoded in DNA is used to create a functional product, typically a protein.
* Transcription is the first stage where the DNA sequence is copied into a messenger RNA (mRNA) molecule.
* Translation is the second stage where the mRNA sequence is used as a template to assemble a chain of amino acids, forming a protein.
During translation, the mRNA molecule moves to the ribosomes, which are the protein synthesis machinery of the cell. The ribosomes read the mRNA code, three nucleotides at a time (called codons), and match each codon with the corresponding transfer RNA (tRNA) molecule carrying the correct amino acid. The amino acids are then linked together to form a polypeptide chain, which eventually folds into a functional protein.
