key term - Introns

Definition

Introns are non-coding sections of an RNA transcript, or the DNA encoding it, that are spliced out before the RNA molecule is translated into protein.

Related terms

Exons:

Segments of DNA or RNA that code for proteins. They are the parts of the gene that remain within the final, mature RNA product after splicing.

Splicing:

The process by which introns are removed from pre-mRNA and exons are joined together to form a continuous mRNA sequence.

Pre-mRNA: The first form of mRNA produced by transcription in eukaryotes. It contains both exons and introns and must undergo splicing to become mature mRNA.