Polyadenylation

Polyadenylation is a big and complicated word that describes what happens to a special part of our cells called messenger RNA or mRNA.

You know that our cells have different parts or organelles like a nucleus, mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, etc. Our genes or DNA are in the nucleus, and they code or give instructions to make proteins that we need in our body.

Now, the DNA cannot leave the nucleus, so a copy of the instructions or the mRNA has to be made, and this mRNA is sent out of the nucleus to another part of the cell, where it will be used to create the protein needed.

But, before the mRNA leaves the nucleus, a special process called polyadenylation happens. It's like adding a tail to the mRNA. The tail is called the poly(A) tail, and it's made of a sequence of adenine molecules (the letter A in the genetic code).

Why is this tail important? Well, for one thing, it helps protect the mRNA from being degraded by enzymes in the cell. Think of it like a cover or a shield.

Also, the poly(A) tail tells the cell's machinery where the end of the mRNA is. It's like a bit of a tag, and it lets the cell know that this is where the important information stops.

Finally, this tail also helps the mRNA find its way out of the nucleus. It's like a signal that tells the cell, "hey, this mRNA is all set and ready to go!"

So, to sum it up, polyadenylation is a process in our cells where a little tail is added to the mRNA, which helps protect it, mark its end, and guide it out of the nucleus.