Transcription and translation are two processes that make proteins from DNA. During transcription, mRNA is made from DNA in the nucleus. The DNA unzips and one strand acts as a template for mRNA. During translation, mRNA leaves the nucleus and attaches to ribosomes in the cytoplasm. The ribosome decodes the mRNA codon by codon and tRNA brings the corresponding amino acid, forming a polypeptide chain. The chain folds into the unique 3D structure of a protein.