protein synthesis

the first half of protein synthesis is…

transcription. DNA to RNA.

first step of transcription

RNA polymerase binds to DNA and separates into 2 strands

step 2 of transcription

RNA polymerase reads a strand and attaches bases

3rd step of transcription

when RNA polymerase hits stop signal, the mRNA that was just made detaches and double helix zips back together.

step 4 of transcription

the mRNA exits through a pore into cytoplasm

translation

mRNA to protein

step 1 of translation

mrna strand binds to ribosome

step 2 of translation

ribosome reads mRNA codons, which stand for amino acids.

step 3 of translation

molecules called tRNA have anticodons that match codons on mRNA. they carry the corresponding amino acids. the anticodon is there to ensure that the amino acid really matches the codon.

step 4 of translation

the ribosome uses bonds to form a polypeptide chain.

step 5 of translation

when the ribosome hits a stop codon, the polypeptide chain is released and folds into a 3D shape to become a protein.