Difference between transcription and translation
                     D I F F E R E N C E  B E T W E E N  
T R A N S C R I P T I O N  A N D  
T R A N S L AT I O N
Transcription
 Transcription is the synthesis of RNA from a DNA 
template where the code in the DNA is converted 
into a complementary RNA code.
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Translation
 Translation is the synthesis of a protein from an 
mRNA template where the code in the mRNA is 
converted into an amino acid sequence in a 
protein.
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Purpose of Transcription
 The purpose of transcript ion is to make RNA 
copies of individual  genes that the cel l  can use 
in the biochemistry.
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Purpose of Translation
 The purpose of translation is to synthesize 
proteins, which are used for mil l ions of cel lular 
functions.
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Localization
 In prokaryotes both transcription and translation 
occur in the cytoplasm due to the absence of 
nucleus.
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Factors
 Transcription is performed by RNA polymerase 
and other associated proteins termed as 
transcript ion factors. 
 Translation is performed by a mult i -subunit  
structure cal led r ibosome which consists of rRNA 
and proteins.
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Initiation
 Transcription occurs when RNA polymerase 
protein binds to the promoter in DNA and forms a 
transcript ion init iat ion complex. 
 Translation occurs when ribosome subunits,  
init iat ion factors and t-RNA bind the mRNA near 
the AUG start  codon.
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Termination
 RNA transcript is released and polymerase 
detaches from DNA. DNA rewinds itsel f into a 
double-hel ix and is unaltered throughout this 
process.
 When the r ibosome encounters one of the three 
stop codons i t  disassembles the ribosome and 
releases the polypeptide.
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End Product of Transcription
 The end product of transcription is an RNA 
transcript which can form any of the fol lowing 
types of RNA: mRNA, tRNA, rRNA and non-coding 
RNA ( l ike microRNA). Usual ly in prokaryotes the 
mRNA formed is polycistronic and in eukaryotes 
i t  is monocistronic.
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End Product of Translation
 The end product of translation is a polypeptide 
chain which folds and undergoes post 
translational  modifi cations to form a functional  
protein.
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