1. What is DNA to RNA Transcription?

DNA to RNA transcription is the first step of gene expression where a DNA sequence is copied into RNA. During this process, thymine (T) bases in DNA are replaced by uracil (U) bases in RNA.

2. How Does the Transcription Work?

The transcription process follows a simple substitution rule:

Where:

• \( DNA \) — Deoxyribonucleic acid sequence
• \( RNA \) — Ribonucleic acid sequence
• \( T → U \) — Thymine to uracil substitution

Explanation: All other nucleotides (A, C, G) remain unchanged during transcription. Only thymine bases are converted to uracil.

3. Importance of Transcription

Details: Transcription is essential for protein synthesis and gene expression. The resulting mRNA carries genetic information from DNA to ribosomes for translation into proteins.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter a valid DNA sequence using only A, T, C, G characters (case insensitive). The calculator will automatically convert thymine (T) to uracil (U) to generate the RNA sequence.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the difference between DNA and RNA?
A: DNA contains thymine (T) and deoxyribose sugar, while RNA contains uracil (U) and ribose sugar. DNA is double-stranded, RNA is typically single-stranded.

Q2: Why does T change to U in transcription?
A: Uracil pairs with adenine in RNA, similar to thymine in DNA, but uracil is more stable for RNA's single-stranded structure and shorter lifespan.

Q3: What types of RNA are produced?
A: mRNA (messenger RNA), tRNA (transfer RNA), and rRNA (ribosomal RNA) are the main types produced through transcription.

Q4: Does transcription occur in both directions?
A: No, transcription occurs in the 5' to 3' direction along the DNA template strand.

Q5: What happens after transcription?
A: The RNA undergoes processing (splicing, capping, polyadenylation) before being translated into proteins or performing other cellular functions.