Primary RNA Transcript

Definition

The primary RNA transcript is an initial product resulting from transcription before any modifications occur. It's essentially an unedited copy of one strand of DNA sequence.

Analogy

Consider it as raw footage right after filming a movie scene - it contains all necessary elements but still requires editing (like removing unwanted parts or adding special effects) before becoming part of the final movie.

Related terms

Exon: These are sequences within primary transcripts that remain after processing and become part of mature mRNA - akin to key scenes kept during movie editing.

Intron: These are sequences within primary transcripts removed during processing - comparable with unnecessary scenes cut out during movie editing.

Splicing: This is the process by which introns are removed and exons joined together in primary transcripts - just like how film editors splice together different scenes to create a coherent movie.