In eukaryotic cells, mRNA is produced in the cell’s nucleus and moves to the cytoplasm to play a role in the production of proteins. Transcription requires an enzyme, known as RNA polymerase is similar to DNA polymerase.

Video segment. Assistance may be required. Watch this short animation to learn more about the process of transcription.

The genetic code is read three “letters” at a time so that each “word” is three bases long and corresponds to a single amino acid. Each three letter word is called a codon.

Interactive exercise. Assistance may be required. Answer the questions below to see what you have learned about transcription.

  1. The phrases: contains ribose sugar, single stranded, bonds A-U and C-G, and can leave the nucleus describe what molecule?
    2. Interactive popup. Assistance may be required. Check Your Answer
    RNAClose Pop Up
  2. Sequence the events of transcription by dragging them into the correct order.
  3. Complete the base pairing for the following section of DNA.