ShmoopTube

Where Monty Python meets your 10th grade teacher.

Search Thousands of Shmoop Videos

Molecular Genetics: Transcription Overview 300 Views


Share It!


Description:

In this video from our course on molecular genetics learn all about transcription.

Language:
English Language

Transcript

00:14

Okay, we're back with Shmoop Biology, and we're talking about transcription and RNA processing with Dr. Ruth.

00:22

So, Dr. Ruth, how does DNA get transcribed into RNA? Walk us through the process.

00:28

I know we've touched on this a little bit before, but...dive in.

00:32

Sure. So, the process of transcription is kind of similar to DNA replication in that you start with a DNA template and you have to make a new molecule.

00:41

And to back up, why do we need transcription in the first place? What is it and what is it useful for?

00:45

So transcription, in general, is the first step toward making proteins, which is ultimately what the cell needs to do in order to function.

00:51

And so, going from DNA to RNA -- messenger RNA -- is the transcription step.

00:56

And then we'll go one step further to the protein.

00:59

And why do we need a messenger? Like, is that just for clarity on the spec so the engineers know how to code the product -- or how does that work?

01:05

I think it helps with, basically, being able to very quickly increase the amount of a gene that's turned on to whatever level you need it.

01:13

So clarity matters a whole lot here.

01:17

So then there's an RNA polymerase that is involved here structurally. What then happens?

01:24

So RNA polymerase is kind of like DNA polymerase. It just makes RNA rather than DNA.

01:28

It starts off with the double-stranded DNA template. It binds there, and then it starts adding nucleotides to make and RNA transcript -- messenger RNA.

01:38

Okay, so the goal is, we're making this transcript... it's gonna be a blueprint to build proteins to power our body and so on.

Related Videos

Marine Flashcard
32734 Views

In this video, we dive beneath the sea to review the kinds of interesting animals that live in the deep blue.

Phenotype
948 Views

Don't like how someone looks? Blame their phenotypes.

Phospholipids
7339 Views

Anything that has a cell (bacteria, listen up!) has phospholipids that keep the cell contained and give it form and shape. Phospholipids protect us...

What Would Mary Shelley Think of GMOs?
1343 Views

GMOs. Now that’s a scary word. Or is it? Guess it’s time to ask ourselves: WWMST? ...For those of us who don’t constantly ask ourselves “wh...

GED Science 1.2 Life Science
399 Views

GED Science 1.2 Life Science