Question

In 3-5 sentences, construct a summary of the process of gene expression, starting with DNA and ending with proteins.

Answer 1

Gene expression begins when a gene's DNA sequence is transcribed into a messenger RNA (mRNA) copy by RNA polymerase. In eukaryotes the primary transcript is processed—capped, spliced to remove introns, and polyadenylated—before export to the cytoplasm. Ribosomes translate the mRNA codons into an amino acid chain using transfer RNAs that deliver the correct amino acids. The resulting polypeptide then folds and often undergoes post-translational modifications to become a functional protein.