Transcription comes first, then translation. In the central dogma of biology, DNA is first transcribed into RNA, and that RNA is then translated into protein.

Quick Scoop

  • Transcription = DNA →\rightarrow → RNA. It is the first step in gene expression.
  • Translation = RNA →\rightarrow → protein. It happens after transcription, using the mRNA message to build a protein.

If you want, I can also give you a super-short memory trick for remembering the order.