DNA contains genes that code for proteins. During transcription, the enzyme RNA polymerase uses DNA as a template to create messenger RNA (mRNA). RNA polymerase breaks the bonds between DNA and transcribes the DNA code into mRNA by pairing complementary nucleotides. The mRNA then detaches from DNA and exits the nucleus, where it attaches to a ribosome. At the ribosome, translation occurs to build the protein based on the mRNA code.

1. DNA and Transcription Tutorial
Place your keyboard aside. Only use the mouse.
Start from Beginning
Transcription
Predicting
Transcription
Review Questions

2. Genes and
DNA
DNA can be divided into
segments called genes.
It is estimated that
human DNA is
composed of ~25,000
genes among its 46 total
chromosomes.
Quick Review. Proteins are
made which smaller
units called?
monosaccharide Amino acid
nucleotideFatty acid
Monosaccharides
make up complex
sugars
Fatty acids make
up lipids
Nucleotides make
up nucleic acids

3. Genes
Correct. Amino acids link to
create proteins.
Genes (small sections of DNA)
are blueprints to make
proteins for use throughout
the body. Genes are found
inside the nucleus of cells,
but proteins are created
outside of the nucleus.
Quick review. Which organelle
creates proteins?
mitochondria
lysosome
chloroplast
ribosome
back
Lysosomes break
down food and
pathogens
Mitochondria
creates ATP
energy
Chloroplasts
creates sugars

4. Meet Melissa
Yes! Ribosomes make proteins.
Melissa is an architect and has designed
a new high-rise apartment complex.
The construction blueprint holds the
information needed to create the
high-rise apartment complex.
A gene is like the construction
blueprints. The gene holds the
information needed to make a protein.
Quick Review. A gene is a small section
of?
DNA Proteins RNA Ribosomes
back
Proteins are
created from
DNA codes
RNA is created
from DNA. Stay
tuned.
Ribosomes make
proteins

5. Transcription
The DNA undergoes a process called
transcription. Transcription is the
process where the DNA code of a gene
is used to make a molecule called
messenger RNA (mRNA).
Examine the picture. The red letters are
DNA nucleotides. The green letters are
mRNA being created. Notice how
mRNA nucleotides are attaching to the
DNA sequence.
Quick review: Where is DNA stored?
CytoplasmNucleus VesicleVacuole
Correct! Let’s move on though…
back
Vacuole stores water
and waste
Cytoplasm contains many
organelles, but not the DNA
Vesicles usually
transport proteins

6. Transcription (continued)
Yes, the nucleus stores DNA.
Remember that transcription will make mRNA. Here’s how. An
enzyme called RNA Polymerase breaks apart the bonds that
holds the 2 strands of DNA nucleotides together.
sugar
T
T
TA A
AA T
C
C CG
G G
phosphate
Nitrogen
base
Key
back

7. Transcription (continued)
Remember that transcription will make mRNA. Here’s how. An
enzyme called RNA Polymerase breaks apart the bonds that
holds the 2 strands of DNA nucleotides together.
One by one, the RNA polymerase moves down the DNA chain.
sugar
T
T
TA A
AA T
C
C CG
G G
phosphate
Nitrogen
base
Key
RNA
Polymerase
back

8. Transcription (continued)
Remember that transcription will make mRNA. Here’s how. An
enzyme called RNA Polymerase breaks apart the bonds that
holds the 2 strands of DNA nucleotides together.
One by one, the RNA polymerase moves down the DNA chain.
sugar
T
T
TA A
A
A
T
C
C CG
G G
phosphate
Nitrogen
base
Key
RNA
Polymerase
back

9. Transcription (continued)
Remember that transcription will make mRNA. Here’s how. An
enzyme called RNA Polymerase breaks apart the bonds that
holds the 2 strands of DNA nucleotides together.
One by one, the RNA polymerase moves down the DNA chain.
sugar
T
T
TA A
A
A T
C
C CG
G G
phosphate
Nitrogen
base
Key
RNA
Polymerase
back

10. Transcription (continued)
Remember that transcription will make mRNA. Here’s how. An
enzyme called RNA Polymerase breaks apart the bonds that
holds the 2 strands of DNA nucleotides together.
One by one, the RNA polymerase moves down the DNA chain.
sugar
T
T
TA A
A
A T
C
C C
G
G G
phosphate
Nitrogen
base
Key
RNA
Polymerase
back

11. Transcription (continued)
Remember that transcription will make mRNA. Here’s how. An
enzyme called RNA Polymerase breaks apart the bonds that
holds the 2 strands of DNA nucleotides together.
One by one, the RNA polymerase moves down the DNA chain.
sugar
T
T
TA A
A
A T
C
C C
G
G G
phosphate
Nitrogen
base
Key
RNA
Polymerase
back

12. Transcription (continued)
Remember that transcription will make mRNA. Here’s how. An
enzyme called RNA Polymerase breaks apart the bonds that
holds the 2 strands of DNA nucleotides together.
One by one, the RNA polymerase moves down the DNA chain.
sugar
T
T
TA A
A
A T
C
C
C
G
G G
phosphate
Nitrogen
base
Key
RNA
Polymerase
back

13. Transcription (continued)
Remember that transcription will make mRNA. Here’s how. An
enzyme called RNA Polymerase breaks apart the bonds that
holds the 2 strands of DNA nucleotides together.
One by one, the RNA polymerase moves down the DNA chain.
sugar
T
T
TA A
A
A T
C
C CG
G G
phosphate
Nitrogen
base
Key
RNA
Polymerase
back

14. Transcription (continued)
Now that the DNA has been separated, free-floating mRNA
nucleotides bond to the now open DNA nucleotides.
T
T
TA A
AA T
C
C CG
G G
RNA
Polymerase
back

15. Transcription Rules
Now that the DNA has been separated, free-floating mRNA
nucleotides bond to the now open DNA nucleotides.
Before performing transcription, remember the table below.
DNA mRNA
A U
T A
C G
G C
back

16. Predicting Transcription
Use the transcription table to predict which mRNA nucleotide will
match the DNA nucleotide.
T
T
TA A
AA T
C
C CG
G G
A
A U
C G
Click one
back
Remember:
DNA “A” with RNA “U”
DNA “T” with RNA “A”
DNA “C” with RNA “G”
DNA “G” with RNA “C”
Try Again

17. Predicting Transcription
Use the transcription table to predict which RNA nucleotide will
match the DNA nucleotide.
T
T
TA A
AA T
C
C CG
G G
A U
A U
C G
Click one
back
Remember:
DNA “A” with RNA “U”
DNA “T” with RNA “A”
DNA “C” with RNA “G”
DNA “G” with RNA “C”
Try Again

18. Predicting Transcription
Use the transcription table to predict which RNA nucleotide will
match the DNA nucleotide.
T
T
TA A
AA T
C
C CG
G G
A U G
A U
C G
Click one
back
Remember:
DNA “A” with RNA “U”
DNA “T” with RNA “A”
DNA “C” with RNA “G”
DNA “G” with RNA “C”
Try Again

19. U
Predicting Transcription
Use the transcription table to predict which RNA nucleotide will
match the DNA nucleotide.
T
T
TA A
AA T
C
C CG
G G
A U G
A U
C G
Click one
back
Remember:
DNA “A” with RNA “U”
DNA “T” with RNA “A”
DNA “C” with RNA “G”
DNA “G” with RNA “C”
Try Again

20. Predicting Transcription
Use the transcription table to predict which RNA nucleotide will
match the DNA nucleotide.
T
T
TA A
AA T
C
C CG
G G
A U G U C
A U
C G
Click one
back
Remember:
DNA “A” with RNA “U”
DNA “T” with RNA “A”
DNA “C” with RNA “G”
DNA “G” with RNA “C”
Try Again

21. Predicting Transcription
Use the transcription table to predict which RNA nucleotide will
match the DNA nucleotide.
T
T
TA A
AA T
C
C CG
G G
A U G U C C
A U
C G
Click one
back
Remember:
DNA “A” with RNA “U”
DNA “T” with RNA “A”
DNA “C” with RNA “G”
DNA “G” with RNA “C”
Try Again

22. Predicting Transcription
Use the transcription table to predict which RNA nucleotide will
match the DNA nucleotide.
T
T
TA A
AA T
C
C CG
G G
A U G U C C A
A U
C G
Click one
back
Remember:
DNA “A” with RNA “U”
DNA “T” with RNA “A”
DNA “C” with RNA “G”
DNA “G” with RNA “C”
Try Again

23. Predicting Transcription
Now that the mRNA is complete, it will detach from the DNA…
Exit the nucleus… And then hook up with a ribosome.
T
T
TA A
AA T
C
C CG
G G
A U G U C C A
back

24. Predicting Transcription
Now that the mRNA is complete, it will detach from the DNA…
Exit the nucleus… And then hook up with a ribosome.
T
T
TA A
AA T
C
C CG
G G
A U G U C C A
back

25. Fate of the DNA?
Once the mRNA breaks away, the DNA will recombine.
T
T
TA A
AA T
C
C CG
G G
back

26. Fate of the DNA?
Once the mRNA breaks away, the DNA will recombine.
T
T
TA A
AA T
C
C CG
G G
back

27. The final stage.
Remember Melissa? Her blueprint for the apartment
complex needs to be copied and then taken to the
construction site. In this analogy, Melissa would fax
the blueprints over to the construction site. The fax
would be the mRNA. The construction site is the
ribosome.
Now that a copy of the blueprint has arrived, the
construction team can begin to build the apartment
complex. In a cell, now that the mRNA has arrived,
the ribosome has the instructions to begin to make a
protein.
back

28. A U G U C C A
The final stage.
mRNA makes a copy of the DNA…
the mRNA exits the nucleus…
the mRNA links up with a ribosome.
ribosome
Once at the ribosome, the process called translation will begin. Translation is
the process where a ribosome builds a protein. The details of translation will be
discussed another day. For now, let’s review.
back

29. Final Review #1
What will eventually be created by the DNA code
of a gene?
proteinribosome nucleolus
back
Ribosomes will be used
to make proteins
The nucleolus makes
ribosomes

30. Final Review #2
Correct! Now try this one…
RNA polymerase separates DNA at the start of
which process?
transcription translation replication
back
We will discuss
translation another day
DNA helicase separates
DNA during replication

31. Final Review #3
Correct. Now try this one…
RNA polymerase is a type of which organic
molecule?
Nucleic Acid Carbohydrate Lipid Proteins/enzyme
back
Which chemicals end
with ASE?
Which chemicals end
with ASE?
Which chemicals end
with ASE?

32. Final Review #4
Correct! Now try this one…
Which shows the process of transcription done
properly?
Key
Black = DNA
Red = mRNA
back
Remember:
DNA “A” with RNA “U”
DNA “T” with RNA “A”
DNA “C” with RNA “G”
DNA “G” with RNA “C”
Try Again

33. Final Review #5
Correct. Now try this one…
After exiting the nucleus, where will the finished
mRNA travel?
ribosomemitochondria nucleolus
back
Mitochondria makes ATP
energy. mRNA is not
needed for this.
The nucleolus makes
ribosomes. mRNA is not
needed for this.

34. Final Review #6
Correct…now try this last one…
Once arriving at the ribosome, which process will
begin next?
Replication Transcription Translation
back
Replication is not
performed while making
a protein.
Transcription already
happened to make the
mRNA that has arrived
at the ribosome.

35. Good job…
I hope this tutorial was helpful. Turn in your handout. Feel free
to start over if you would like to do some review.