The term "central dogma of molecular biology" was coined by a co-discoverer of the structure of DNA, Francis Crick. The term is used to define how information flows in biological systems. Which of the following statements about DNA, mRNA and proteins provide a simple definition of the "central dogma?"

A simple definition of the central dogma could be:

"DNA allows the production of mRNA. mRNA allows the production of protein."

Explanation:

The central dogma of molecular biology explains the flow of genetic information, from DNA to a synthesized protein and all the steps in between.

The three main processes made by the cell in order to achieve this flow of information are: Replication (the DNA replicates itself to prepare for mitosis, so each daughter cell can have a copy of the DNA), Transcription (fragments of the DNA molecule are separated to create an mRNA molecule), and Translation (the mRNA molecule is used to create a new protein).

DNA - mRNA - Protein

Explanation:

The central dogma shows how genetic information flow within the biological system.

According to this theory, genetic information are originally stored in the DNA, this information is encoded in a messenger RNA sequence during the process of transcription and the encoded messages are translated into their respective proteins during the process of translation, otherwise known as protein synthesis.

Hence, the direction of information flow is from the DNA to mRNA and then to Protein.