The central dogma of molecular genetics is that information flows from DNA to RNA to protein. Transcription is the process where information on DNA is coded into a messenger RNA molecule. A simple way to see transcription is that it involves rewriting information. Translation is when information on the messenger RNA molecule is converted by a ribosome into a polypeptide strand. In other words, translation converts the information into usable language.
In today's free Biology lecture, Professor George Wolfe compares and contrasts transcription and translation. He explains the variation between these two processes in prokaryote and eukaryote cells. One of the biggest differences you'll notice is that translation and transcription are not segregated in prokaryotic cells. However, in eukaryotic cells, transcription occurs inside the nucleus while translation occurs outside of the nucleus. He then discusses the machinery for transcription and translation, the three kinds of RNA: mRNA, tRNA, and rRNA. Learn more about these types of RNA and what happens during transcription and translation in today's video.
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