Question

Describe how the information encoded in a gene results in the synthesis of a functional protein in eukaryotes (include an explanation of all the parts of the process). Include in your answer the differences that exist between prokaryotes and eukaryotes and where regulation of gene expression can occur.

Answer 1

The answer to this question revolves around something called central dogma of Biology which is a two step process that explains how information coded in a gene results in synthesis of functional protein. The two step involves transcription and translation.

Transcription - As you might know that DNA is our genetic material so it contains genetic information which needs to be converted to proteins. But the thing is DNA don't directly codes for protein. It first change itself into mRNA ( a kind of RNA ) . So conversion of DNA into mRNA is called transcription.

Translation - It is a process which basically converts mRNA into protein. After completion of this step a functional protein is formed.

But these two processes takes place differently in prokaryotes as well as eukaryotes. In prokaryotes these two processes are coupled i.e translation starts while transcription is still in process. In eukaryotes these two processes takes place differently with transcription taking place in nucleus while translation takes place in cytoplasm ( as Ribosomes are in cytolplasm and ribosomes are translation machinery)