Final answer:
The flow of genetic information in a cell is described by the Central Dogma of Life, where DNA codes for RNA and RNA codes for proteins. Transcription involves copying DNA into RNA, while translation involves using RNA to synthesize proteins.
Step-by-step explanation:
The flow of genetic information within a cell is described by the Central Dogma of Life, which states that DNA codes for RNA, and RNA codes for proteins. This process involves transcription, where DNA is copied into RNA, and translation, where RNA is used to synthesize proteins. In transcription, DNA dictates the structure of mRNA, while in translation, RNA dictates the structure of proteins.
For example, DNA contains the instructions for a specific protein. During transcription, an enzyme called RNA polymerase reads the DNA sequence and synthesizes a complementary RNA strand. This mRNA molecule then carries the genetic information from the nucleus to the ribosomes in the cytoplasm. During translation, the mRNA is read by ribosomes, and tRNA molecules bring the corresponding amino acids to the ribosome, following the sequence of the mRNA. The ribosome assembles these amino acids into a protein based on the genetic code.
Therefore, DNA and RNA play critical roles in the expression of genetic information within a cell, leading to the synthesis of proteins necessary for cellular functions.