How the Central Dogma Works (Animated)

DNA transcription begins when RNA Polymerase recognizes and binds to the promoter region of DNA.As RNA Polymerase moves along, it separates the DNA strands and exposes the template strand.RNA nucleotides are added one by one, following the base pairing rules. A pairs with U, and C pairs with G.As transcription continues, the RNA strand grows longer, creating a complementary copy of the DNA template strand.The region where active transcription occurs is called the transcription bubble.Finally, the completed messenger RNA strand detaches from the DNA template.The newly synthesized messenger RNA will now undergo processing before leaving the nucleus.The newly formed pre-messenger RNA undergoes several important modifications.First, a special cap is added to the five prime end, which protects the RNA from degradation.At the three prime end, a string of adenine nucleotides is added, forming the poly-A tail.The spliceosome then removes the introns and joins the exons together.The mature messenger RNA, now with its cap and tail, moves through nuclear pores into the cytoplasm.In the cytoplasm, the messenger RNA travels to ribosomes where it will be translated into protein.The messenger RNA is now ready for translation, where its genetic code will be used to build a protein.Translation begins as the ribosome assembles around the mRNA start codon, AUG.The ribosome has three important sites: E, P, and A sites, which hold tRNA molecules during translation.The first tRNA carrying methionine recognizes the start codon AUG.As translation continues, new tRNAs bring amino acids that form peptide bonds with the growing chain.The process continues as the ribosome moves along the mRNA, adding more amino acids to the chain.As the protein chain emerges from the ribosome, it begins to fold into its three-dimensional structure.The completed protein can now perform its specific cellular function.