Central dogma

Definition

The central dogma describes the flow of genetic information within a biological system, typically from DNA to RNA to protein. It explains how genetic instructions are transcribed and translated to synthesize proteins.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The central dogma involves two main processes: transcription (DNA to RNA) and translation (RNA to protein).
2. Messenger RNA (mRNA) is synthesized during transcription and serves as a template for protein synthesis.
3. Ribosomes play a crucial role in the translation process by reading mRNA and assembling amino acids into proteins.
4. Mutations in DNA can affect the central dogma by altering the sequence of nucleotides, potentially leading to faulty or nonfunctional proteins.
5. Regulation of gene expression can occur at various stages of the central dogma, including chromatin remodeling, transcriptional control, post-transcriptional modifications, and translational control.

Review Questions

• What are the two main processes involved in the central dogma?
• How does mRNA function within the context of the central dogma?
• What role do ribosomes play in translating genetic information?

Related terms

Transcription:

The process where an mRNA molecule is synthesized from a DNA template.

Translation:

The process where ribosomes synthesize proteins using mRNA as a template.

Gene Expression:

The entire process by which information from a gene is used to synthesize functional gene products like proteins.