What kind of molecules are transcripts

The enzyme is now ready to make a strand of mRNA with a complementary sequence of bases. Elongation is the addition of nucleotides to the mRNA strand. Termination is the ending of transcription, and occurs when RNA polymerase crosses a stop termination sequence in the gene.

This video provides a review of these steps. You can stop watching the video at Improve this page Learn More. Skip to main content. Search for:. Translation, the second step in getting from a gene to a protein, takes place in the cytoplasm. Each sequence of three nucleotides, called a codon, usually codes for one particular amino acid.

Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins. Through the processes of transcription and translation, information from genes is used to make proteins. Other chapters in Help Me Understand Genetics. Genetics Home Reference has merged with MedlinePlus. Learn more. The information on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice.

DNA safely and stably stores genetic material in the nuclei of cells as a reference, or template. Meanwhile, mRNA is comparable to a copy from a reference book because it carries the same information as DNA but is not used for long-term storage and can freely exit the nucleus.

Transcription is carried out by an enzyme called RNA polymerase and a number of accessory proteins called transcription factors. Transcription factors can bind to specific DNA sequences called enhancer and promoter sequences in order to recruit RNA polymerase to an appropriate transcription site. Together, the transcription factors and RNA polymerase form a complex called the transcription initiation complex.