Final answer:
In the central dogma of molecular biology, transcription converts DNA to mRNA, and translation converts mRNA to protein. These processes ensure that genetic information is accurately transformed into functional proteins within cells.
Step-by-step explanation:
The central dogma of molecular biology explains how genes are converted into proteins through two central steps: transcription and translation. Transcription is the process of converting DNA to messenger RNA (mRNA). During transcription, a strand of mRNA is made that is complementary to a strand of DNA. This occurs in the nucleus of the cell. Once the mRNA is formed, it is then used in the next stage, translation, which is the process of converting mRNA to protein. Translation involves reading the sequence of codons in the mRNA and assembling a polypeptide chain of amino acids in the correct sequence with the help of transfer RNA (tRNA) and ribosomal RNA (rRNA) on a ribosome. Each triplet of mRNA nucleotides, called a codon, corresponds to one specific amino acid or a signal to release the newly formed polypeptide chain.