From DNA to protein
How a cell stores, copies and reads its genetic instructions.
Molecular Biology7 steps
Steps
Take the steps in order or jump to any of them. Readings link to the labs and sources behind them, and the quiz at the end is graded on our server.
- DNAStep 1: Read, 50 XP
- Base pairingStep 2: Read, 50 XP
- DNA replicationStep 3: Read, 50 XP
- TranscriptionStep 4: Read, 50 XP
- TranslationStep 5: Read, 50 XP
- DNA & Genetics LabStep 6: Lab, 100 XP, once per lab
- From DNA to proteinStep 7: Quiz, up to 250 XP
About molecular biology
Molecular biology looks at the tiny molecules inside cells, especially DNA, RNA and proteins, to understand how living things work.
Molecular biologists study how genetic information is stored in DNA, copied, transcribed into RNA and translated into proteins, and how cells control which genes are used.
The field connects sequence to function: replication, transcription, translation and gene regulation, studied with tools ranging from PCR and sequencing to structural biology and genome editing.