Question

Q1.Explain why the process of translation has been appropriately named.

Q2. In What ways is the structure of mRNA similar to the DNA?How does mRNA differ from DNA?

Answer 1

A1. The literal meaning of translation is conversion of subject matter to another language or another interpret it in easier manner. DNA stores the information in the cells, while RNA is translated to functional proteins in order to interpret that information. Therefore without translation the genetic information can not be interpreted into meaningful information.

The central dogma suggests that is a two step process in which information of the gene flows into the proteins. Transcription involves the synthesis of mRNA from a segment of DNA. Translation is the synthesis of functional protein from nucleotide sequences in mRNA. Along with this the universal genetic code specifies the amino acids based upon three bases(codon). Thus the information of gene is coded by the amino acid codons which combine to form different types of proteins. The gentic code is helpful in transmission of hereditary information to organisms. Therefore the term translation appropriately serves the purpose of its usage.

A2.

Similarities	Differences
DNA-mRNA	DNA	mRNA
DNA and RNA are the genetic material composed of pentose sugar, phosphate and nitrogenous bases	made up of pentose sugar deoxyribose sugar	ribose sugar
both are nucleic acid material and help is storage and synthesis of genetic information	pyrimidine base-cytosine, thymine	pyrimidine base-cytosine, uracil
polymerase enzyme synthesizes both of these molecules	double stranded	single stranded
	stores genetic information	RNA codes information in the form of codons to form amino acid chains
	synthesized by self replication	synthesised by transcription from DNA segment
	found in the nucleus	synthesised in nucleus and migrates to cytoplasm to synthesise protein
	longer than RNA	shorter than DNA