So, I understand RNA uses DNA as a template to later code for amino acids, and these AA form polypeptide chains, etc. But- is RNA all there is to following and carrying out DNA’s instructions? The analogy I was taught is that DNA is a sort of protected master copy.
In other words, can every unit of matter that we are, essentially, without environmental factors, be created through the AAs RNA produces? This would also include any AA that coded for something that could produce something else essential down the line. I’ll give an example I keep thinking of- so humans have the character of hair. Our DNA would normally* code for that (sorry bald ppl). So in the case of hair, would RNA then create a polypeptide that would result in hair follicles, growth, keratin production, etc?
I’m not sure if this made sense, but, yeah, help!
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In: Biology
All cells with a nucleus contain a complete copy of the genome, during development our cells differentiate to become different types of cells through expression of certain genes and turning off others in response to some chemical signal. In the case of the hair on your head those cells would differentiate in development to express genes that are responsible for production of keratin, etcetera. This would be produced in the way you described sometimes referred to as the central dogma of biology: DNA is transcribed into RNA which is then translated into amino acids which constitute proteins.
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