gen-define-the-central-dogma-of-molecular-biology-and-give-one-s-6c18

Define the central dogma of molecular biology and give one short worked example.

# Central Dogma of Molecular Biology ## Definition The central dogma describes the flow of genetic information in biological systems: **DNA → RNA → Protein** - **DNA** (deoxyribonucleic acid) stores genetic information - **Transcription**: DNA is copied into RNA (ribonucleic acid) - **Translation**: RNA is decoded to make proteins - Information flows in one direction: DNA can be copied to RNA, and RNA directs protein synthesis, but proteins cannot be used to recreate the original genetic sequence ## Worked Example Let's trace a small gene through the central dogma: **DNA template strand:** ``` 3' - TAC GCA TTA - 5' ``` **Step 1: Transcription** (DNA → mRNA) The DNA is transcribed to messenger RNA (using the template strand, adding U instead of T): ``` mRNA: 5' - AUG CGU AAU - 3' ``` **Step 2: Translation** (mRNA → Protein) The mRNA codons are translated into amino acids using the genetic code: - AUG = Methionine (Met) - CGU = Arginine (Arg) - AAU = Asparagine (Asn) **Final protein:** ``` Met - Arg - Asn ``` This tripeptide (3 amino acids) represents how genetic information flows from DNA storage to functional protein product.