Central Dogma of Molecular Biology
DNA → RNA → Protein
The Central Dogma of Molecular Biology is a fundamental principle in biology that describes how genetic information flows within a cell. It was proposed by Francis Crick in 1958 and is based on the principle that the information for making proteins is contained in DNA and that this information is passed from DNA to RNA to protein. The Central Dogma consists of three basic steps:
1. DNA replication: The process by which a single DNA molecule is copied into two identical DNA molecules. This process takes place during cell division and is essential for the transmission of genetic information from one generation to the next.
2. Transcription: The process by which the information encoded in DNA is copied into RNA. This occurs in the nucleus and involves the enzyme RNA polymerase, which synthesizes an RNA molecule that is complementary to the DNA template. This RNA molecule is called messenger RNA (mRNA) and carries the genetic information from the DNA to the ribosomes where protein synthesis occurs.
3. Translation: The process by which the genetic information encoded in mRNA is used to synthesize a protein. This occurs in the cytoplasm and involves the ribosomes, the site of protein synthesis. Ribosomes read the sequence of codons on the mRNA and use amino acids to build a protein molecule.
Overall, the Central Dogma describes the basic flow of genetic information in a cell, from DNA to RNA to protein. It is a fundamental principle in molecular biology and provides the basis for our understanding of genetic inheritance and the functioning of living organisms.
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