"junk DNA" a useful term or not?

Hi DP, It's been a while since I've covered RNA splicing but I don't think that's a fair analogy. I think it's bound to confuse Faith anyway. You can get fully functioning genes without any introns in them at all.For Faith:Apologies if this is a bit brief, but I'm off down the pub at 5:30 and my typing speed is glacial. If I say something you don't understand, don't be affraid to ask. I also apologise if you know most of this.

Genes encoded in the DNA are 'transcribed' into messenger RNA (mRNA)

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mRNA is then read by the protein sythesis machinary in the cell and a functioning protein is made. This is known as 'translation'

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There are parts of the gene that are transcribed, but not translated. Some of these are stuck slap bang in the middle of the gene (introns) and are effectively looped out of the mRNA - in a process known as RNA splicing. Here's a diagram showing how that happens.

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Hope that helps.

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Now I'm sure one of the more experienced resident biologists will correct me