Begins with the binding of transcription factors to DNA within a promoter sequence (such as the TATA box)
One strand of DNA forms a template for the synthesis of messenger RNA
This is catalysed by RNA polymerase which binds to a DNA promoter region
The process moves along the DNA strand as the RNA molecule is built in the 5’ to 3’ direction
The process stops when it meets the termination signal on the DNA molecule
This transcript is an exact replica of the DNA strand
The introns are excised and the exons spliced together at spliceosomes

The mRNA molecule then leaves the nucleus
NB: mRNA is monocistronic meaning it only encodes for one protein
Its 5’ end is blocked by 7-methylguanine and a poly-adenine tail is added to the 3’ end which aids transport to the cytoplasm and provides stability
Translation

Performed by specific transfer RNA (tRNA) which is specific for an amino acid and transports them to the mRNA template on the ribosomes

Amino acids specific for the three nucleotide bases are attached by their C-terminal ends
Each tRNA anticodon is linked with the matching codon on the mRNA
The process is controlled by aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases which couples amino acids to the matching tRNA molecule and peptidyl transferase which uncouples tRNA from amino acids and joins it to the chain
Translation is always initiated at a codon specifying methionine
Initiation factor 2 (IF-2) catalyses the reaction between specific tRNA molecules and the mRNA
The mRNA is read a codon at a time from the 5’ to 3’ direction
The polypeptide chain is built from the N-terminal end to the C-terminal end
The stop codon initiates release factor to bind the A site (this is where incoming tRNA molecules bind), blocking further tRNA and releasing the polypeptide into the cytoplasm
The polypeptide chain can be further modified after translation