Here's a breakdown:
* Transcription: DNA is used as a template to create a messenger RNA (mRNA) molecule. This mRNA molecule carries the genetic code for a specific protein.
* Translation: The mRNA molecule travels to a ribosome, where it's read and used to assemble amino acids into a polypeptide chain. This chain folds into a specific three-dimensional structure, forming a functional protein.
So, the whole process of transcription and translation is essentially converting the genetic information stored in DNA into a functional protein, which is the building block of life and performs a wide variety of tasks within the cell.