DNA

TRANSCRIPTION
1 RNA is transcribed
from a DNA template.
3′
A
ly-
Po

RNA RNA
5′
transcript polymerase

RNA PROCESSING
Exon
2 In eukaryotes, the RNA transcript
RNA transcript (pre- (pre-mRNA)
mRNA) is spliced and
modified to produce Intron
mRNA, which moves
from the nucleus to the Aminoacyl-tRNA
cytoplasm. -A synthetase
Poly
NUCLEUS

Amino
CYTOPLASM acid AMINO ACID ACTIVATION
tRNA 4 Each amino acid
3 The mRNA leaves attaches to its proper tRNA
the nucleus and with the help of a specific
attaches to a ribosome. enzyme and ATP.
mRNA
Growing
polypeptide

Cap 3′
5′
A A
P
Aminoacyl ly-
E (charged) Po
Ribosomal tRNA
subunits

ap
5′ C

TRANSLATION
C U
C A 5 A succession of tRNAs
A
C
E A add their amino acids to
Anticodon the polypeptide chain
A A A
as the mRNA is moved
U G G U U U A U G through the ribosome
one codon at a time.
Codon When completed, the
polypeptide is released
from the ribosome.
Ribosome

▲ Figure 17.24  A summary of transcription and translation in a eukaryotic cell. This

diagram shows the path from one gene to one polypeptide. Keep in mind that each gene in the
DNA can be transcribed repeatedly into many identical RNA molecules and that each mRNA can be
translated repeatedly to yield many identical polypeptide molecules. (Also, remember that the final
products of some genes are not polypeptides but RNA molecules, including tRNA and rRNA.) In
general, the steps of transcription and translation are similar in bacterial, archaeal, and eukaryotic
cells. The major difference is the occurrence of RNA processing in the eukaryotic nucleus. Other
significant differences are found in the initiation stages of both transcription and translation and in
the termination of transcription.

354    U n i t t h r e e   Genetics