1. What is DNA to mRNA Transcription?

Transcription is the process by which the information in a strand of DNA is copied into a new molecule of messenger RNA (mRNA). During transcription, DNA is used as a template to produce a complementary RNA strand where thymine (T) is replaced by uracil (U).

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator performs two operations:

Example:

• DNA: ATGCGTA
• Complement: TACGCAT
• mRNA: UACGCAU

3. Importance of Transcription

Details: Transcription is the first step in gene expression, where DNA information is converted into RNA that can be used to produce proteins. Understanding this process is fundamental to molecular biology and genetics.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter a valid DNA sequence (only A, T, C, G characters). The sequence is case-insensitive and will be converted to uppercase.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why replace T with U in mRNA?
A: RNA uses uracil (U) instead of thymine (T) as one of its bases. Uracil pairs with adenine (A) in RNA.

Q2: What's the direction of transcription?
A: The mRNA is synthesized in the 5' to 3' direction, complementary to the DNA template strand (3' to 5').

Q3: What about the coding vs template strand?
A: The mRNA sequence matches the coding strand (except T→U), not the template strand.

Q4: What happens to the mRNA after transcription?
A: The mRNA is processed (5' cap, poly-A tail, splicing) before translation into protein.

Q5: Can I enter RNA sequences?
A: No, this calculator only accepts DNA sequences. RNA sequences contain U instead of T.