In eukaryotes, pre-mRNA gets a 5 prime cap, a poly-A tail and has introns spliced out.
The 5' cap protects the mRNA and aids ribosome binding; the poly-A tail (about 200 adenines) stabilises it and helps export. Splicing removes introns. These steps occur co-transcriptionally.
Only properly processed mRNA is exported.
In eukaryotes, pre-mRNA gets a 5 prime cap, a poly-A tail and has introns spliced out.
RNA Processing is one of the 52 topics in Molecular Biology. It is rated Intermediate, so it suits learners who already know the core vocabulary. Related topics in this area include DNA Polymerase, Transcription, Okazaki Fragments.
The mRNA of beta-globin is about 1600 nucleotides but the gene region is longer because of introns.
Work through the Beginner topics in Molecular Biology first, such as Central Dogma, DNA Replication, Base Pairing, then return to RNA Processing. Intermediate topics assume the Beginner vocabulary.
The closest topics to RNA Processing are DNA Polymerase, Transcription, Okazaki Fragments, Transfer RNA. Comparing them side by side is a good way to see how the ideas connect.
Read the summary and the in-depth section, then use the quick check on the interactive lesson for RNA Processing. To practise the whole of Molecular Biology, use the Molecular Biology quiz.
RNA Processing: In eukaryotes, pre-mRNA gets a 5 prime cap, a poly-A tail and has introns spliced out. DNA Polymerase: The enzyme that adds nucleotides to a growing DNA strand in the 5 prime to 3 prime direction. Read both side by side and note what each one explains.
First, read the summary and write the definition in your own words. Second, read the in-depth section and note any example. Third, compare it with DNA Polymerase and explain the difference aloud. Finally, take the Molecular Biology quiz and come back to this page for any question you miss.
The enzyme that adds nucleotides to a growing DNA strand in the 5 prime to 3 prime direction.
🧫 Molecular BiologyThe process of making an RNA copy of a gene using DNA as a template.
🧫 Molecular BiologyShort DNA segments synthesised discontinuously on the lagging strand and joined by DNA ligase.
🧫 Molecular BiologySmall RNA adaptors with an anticodon that bring the correct amino acid to the ribosome.
🧫 Molecular Biology