CENTRAL DOGMA Meaning and
Definition
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The "central dogma" is a fundamental principle in molecular biology that outlines the flow of genetic information within a cell. It describes the process by which genetic instructions stored in DNA are converted into functional proteins, essential for the structure and functioning of living organisms.
In the central dogma, the information transfer occurs in three key steps. The first step is known as transcription, where a segment of DNA, containing a specific gene, is transcribed into a complementary single-stranded messenger RNA (mRNA) molecule. This process takes place in the cell nucleus and is carried out by an enzyme called RNA polymerase.
The next step is translation, which occurs in the cytoplasm. During this process, the mRNA molecule is used as a template to synthesize a chain of amino acids, forming a protein. Specialized molecules called transfer RNA (tRNA) bring the specific amino acids required according to the instructions encoded in mRNA.
The central dogma also implies that genetic information flows only in one direction, from DNA to RNA to protein. DNA is the stable repository of genetic information, while RNA acts as the intermediary between DNA and protein synthesis. The principle states that once information is transferred from DNA to RNA, it cannot be reversed back to DNA or from protein to DNA.
In summary, the central dogma describes the sequential flow of genetic information from DNA to RNA to protein, supporting the foundation of molecular biology and contributing to our understanding of how genetic traits are inherited and expressed.
Common Misspellings for CENTRAL DOGMA
- xentral dogma
- ventral dogma
- fentral dogma
- dentral dogma
- cwntral dogma
- csntral dogma
- cdntral dogma
- crntral dogma
- c4ntral dogma
- c3ntral dogma
- cebtral dogma
- cemtral dogma
- cejtral dogma
- cehtral dogma
- cenrral dogma
- cenfral dogma
- cengral dogma
- cenyral dogma
- cen6ral dogma
- cen5ral dogma
Etymology of CENTRAL DOGMA
The term "central dogma" was coined by the renowned molecular biologist Francis Crick in 1958. Crick used this term to describe the flow of genetic information in living organisms. The word "central" implies the essential nature and importance of this process, while "dogma" refers to a principle or belief that is established and accepted as true.
Crick's central dogma states that information flows from DNA to RNA to protein. DNA carries the genetic information, which is transcribed into RNA molecules. These RNA molecules, in turn, serve as templates for protein synthesis. This concept is considered fundamental to understanding the fundamental processes of molecular biology and genetics.
Idioms with the word CENTRAL DOGMA
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central dogma
The central dogma refers to the fundamental principle in molecular biology that genetic information is transferred from DNA to RNA to protein, guiding the processes of gene expression and protein synthesis in living organisms.
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