What is the overall process called in which amino acids are arranged to form proteins?

The overall process in which amino acids are arranged to form proteins is known as protein synthesis. This complex process involves several key stages, including transcription and translation. During transcription, the genetic information encoded in DNA is transcribed into messenger RNA (mRNA). This mRNA then travels from the nucleus to the ribosome, where translation occurs. In translation, ribosomes read the sequence of the mRNA and use transfer RNA (tRNA) to bring the appropriate amino acids. These amino acids are then linked together in a specific order to form a polypeptide chain that ultimately folds into a functional protein.

Understanding protein synthesis is fundamental in biology because it explains how genes are expressed and how the body utilizes genetic information to produce various proteins that perform vital functions. The other options—protein folding, protein modification, and gene expression—are important concepts related to proteins but describe different parts or aspects of the process. Protein folding refers to the way that the polypeptide chain acquires its three-dimensional structure after being synthesized, while protein modification involves post-translational changes to a protein that can affect its activity or function. Gene expression is a broader term that encompasses the entire process of converting a gene's DNA sequence into a functional product, which can include both the