RNA Splicing

This animation shows how mRNA is edited to remove noncoding regions.

Once a gene has been transcribed into mRNA, the mRNA is edited in a process called splicing. As shown in the animation, noncoding regions called introns are removed, leaving behind protein-coding regions called exons. The exons are rejoined by enzymes to produce the final mRNA transcript.

Depending on students’ background, it may be helpful to pause the animation at various points to discuss different steps in the splicing process or parts of the mRNA.