Protein Synthesis

Protein Synthesis Animation

Genetic information, stored in the chromosomes and transmitted to daughter cells through DNA replication is expressed through transcription of RNA and, in the case of mRNA, subsequent translation into polypeptide chains. This flow of information from DNA to RNA to protein is termed the “central dogma” and is descriptive of all organisms (with the exception of some viruses that have RNA as the repository of their genetic information).

The process of translation requires a genetic code, through which the information contained in the nucleic acid sequence is expressed to produce a specific of amino acids. Any alteration in the nucleic acid sequence may result in an improver amino acid being inserted into the poly peptide chain, potentially causing disease or even death of the organism.