What is the primary function of the central dogma in biology?

The primary function of the central dogma in biology is to trace the steps of producing a protein from DNA. This concept illustrates the flow of genetic information within a biological system, emphasizing the processes of transcription and translation. In transcription, the information encoded in DNA is copied into messenger RNA (mRNA). Subsequently, during translation, the mRNA is read by ribosomes to synthesize specific proteins. This foundational principle helps to explain how genes express traits and is crucial for understanding cellular functions and the mechanisms of heredity. The central dogma underscores the directionality of genetic information, emphasizing DNA as the template from which RNA is synthesized, and in turn, RNA guides the assembly of proteins.