What is the process/processes by which cells use the information in DNA to build proteins?
A. Glycolysis
B. Transcription and Translation
C. Protein degradation
D. Photosynthesis
The correct answer is B. Transcription and Translation.
The process by which cells use the information encoded in DNA to build proteins is known as gene expression. This process involves two main steps: transcription and translation.
Transcription occurs in the nucleus of eukaryotic cells and involves the synthesis of a messenger RNA (mRNA) molecule. The enzyme RNA polymerase binds to a specific region of the DNA called the promoter and "reads" the DNA sequence, generating an mRNA molecule that is complementary to the DNA template strand. This mRNA molecule carries the information from DNA to the cytoplasm, where protein synthesis takes place.
Translation occurs in the cytoplasm and involves the synthesis of proteins using the information carried by the mRNA molecule. The mRNA molecule is read by ribosomes, which match each three-letter codon on the mRNA with a specific transfer RNA (tRNA) molecule carrying the corresponding amino acid. The ribosome links the amino acids together, following the sequence of the mRNA, to form a polypeptide chain. This chain then folds into its functional protein structure.
Glycolysis is a metabolic pathway that occurs in the cytoplasm and involves the breakdown of glucose to produce energy in the form of ATP. It is not directly related to the process of building proteins from DNA information.
Protein degradation refers to the breakdown of proteins into their constituent amino acids, which can be recycled or used for other processes. It is not directly related to the process of building proteins from DNA information.
Photosynthesis is the process by which plants, algae, and some bacteria convert light energy into chemical energy in the form of glucose. It is not directly related to the process of building proteins from DNA information.