Educator

The Transcription of DNA to RNA

• The central dogma of biology states that DNA is used to make RNA, and RNA is used to make a protein. The first stage, making RNA from DNA, is called transcription. The second stage, making a protein from RNA, is called translation.

• As in DNA replication, one strand of the DNA double helix is used as a guide to determine the order of the bases in the RNA molecule. Only the genes that the cell needs to make proteins from are transcribed to RNA. Using RNA as an intermediate between DNA and proteins gives the cell control over protein production, while still ensuring the safety of the DNA.