Q.What is the difference between Heterocatalytic and Autocatalytic function of DNA?

Autocatalytic function: DNA replicates itself to produce identical DNA copies.

Autocatalytic = DNA copies itself; heterocatalytic = DNA directs synthesis of RNA/protein.

DNA performs two broad functions, both essential to heredity and gene expression. The autocatalytic function refers to DNA replication — during cell division, each DNA strand acts as a template to synthesise a new complementary strand, producing two identical daughter DNA molecules; here DNA is essentially "catalysing" (directing) the formation of more of itself. The heterocatalytic function refers to DNA acting as a template for transcription, synthesising messenger RNA (and ot …

Central dogma: DNA --(replication)--> DNA; DNA --(transcription)--> RNA --(translation)--> Protein.

The central dogma describes the one-way flow of genetic information from DNA to RNA to protein (with DNA also able to replicate itself).

Proposed by Francis Crick, the central dogma of molecular biology states that genetic information generally flows in one direction: DNA is first replicated to make more DNA (ensuring the genetic material is passed on during cell division); DNA is transcribed into messenger RNA (mRNA) in the nucleus; and mRNA is then translated at the ribosome into a specific sequence of amino acids, forming a polypeptide/protein. As a flow chart: DNA → (replication) → DNA (copy); …