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Multiple Choice
Which term refers to the conversion of nucleotide sequences into amino acid sequences?
A
Replication
B
Reverse Transcription
C
Translation
D
Transcription
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Begin by understanding the central dogma of molecular biology, which describes the flow of genetic information within a biological system. It involves three main processes: replication, transcription, and translation.
Replication is the process of copying DNA to produce two identical DNA molecules. This occurs before cell division, ensuring that each new cell receives a complete set of genetic information.
Transcription is the process where the DNA sequence of a gene is copied into RNA. This RNA is typically messenger RNA (mRNA), which carries the genetic information from the DNA to the ribosome, where protein synthesis occurs.
Translation is the process where the sequence of nucleotides in mRNA is converted into a sequence of amino acids, resulting in the formation of a polypeptide or protein. This occurs in the ribosome, where transfer RNA (tRNA) molecules bring amino acids in accordance with the codons specified by the mRNA.
Reverse transcription is a process where RNA is converted back into DNA, which is not part of the typical flow of genetic information in cells but occurs in retroviruses. The correct term for converting nucleotide sequences into amino acid sequences is translation.