Transcription is the synthesis of RNA in the nucleus of a cell, using DNA

as a template. Because RNA is single-stranded, transcription only occurs

along one of the two strands of DNA.
First, the enzyme RNA polymerase binds to a site on the DNA at the start
of a gene. The RNA polymerase moves along the gene separating DNA
into single strands and pairing up RNA nucleotides with complementary
bases on one strand of the DNA (RNA polymerase has helicase-like activity
as it plays a role in opening the DNA double helix but also catalyses the
addition of free RNA nucleotides to the growing mRNA strand). As there is
no thymine in the RNA, uracil pairs up with adenine, following the
complementary base pairing. To form the RNA molecule, the RNA
polymerase forms covalent bonds between the RNA nucleotides. Finally,
the RNA separates from the DNA and the double helix reforms.
Transcription stops at the end of the gene and the completed RNA
molecule is released.
The product of transcription is a molecule of RNA with a base sequence
that is complementary to the template strand of DNA, that carries the
information needed to synthesize a polypeptide. This molecule of RNA is
called messenger RNA, usually abbreviated to mRNA.

Translation is the synthesis of polypeptides on ribosomes in the

cytoplasm of the cells. Ribosomes are complex structures that consist of a
small and a large subunit, with binding sites for each of the molecules that
take part in the translation. The large subunit is the site that makes
peptide bonds between amino acids, to link them together into a
polypeptide. First, a mRNA moves out of the nucleus and binds first to the
small subunit of the ribosome, then to the large subunit, forming a
complex with a ribosome. This complex is called the mRNAribosomal
complex. Then, the molecules of tRNA bring specific amino acids to the
mRNA-ribosomal complex. The amino acids brought to the complex are
coded for by mRNA. The amino acids are lined up in a sequence indicated
by the mRNA and bonds called peptide bonds occur between adjacent
amino acids, resulting in the formation of the specific polypeptide
molecule. The process continues along the mRNA until a stop codon is
reached, when the completed polypeptide is released.
The accuracy of translation depends on complementary base pairing
between the anticodon on each tRNA and the codon on mRNA.

Hints for success: The DNA in the cell nucleus carries the code for
almost all the activities of the cell. This code is transcribed onto mRNA.
mRNA carries the code for the specific polypeptide needed for a ribosome
in the cytoplasm. Translation then occurs at the ribosome to produce the
needed polypeptide. Once the polypeptide is produced the mRNA
ribosomal complex breaks apart. The ribosome is then able to combine
with a different mRNA to produce a totally different polypeptide. The tRNA
moves to a different cytoplasm location to pick up the same type of free
amino acid. It then can become active in the translation process of
another polypeptide.