Ribosomes, mRNA, and Protein Synthesis

Flashcards covering the roles of DNA, mRNA, ribosomes, and amino acids in protein synthesis based on Tutorial 21.

Where are the instructions for making a protein stored within the cell?

Inside the nucleus on the DNA.

Why can DNA not directly deliver instructions to the site where proteins are made?

Because DNA never leaves the nucleus.

What molecule carries the instructions for protein production from the nucleus to the cytoplasm?

mRNA (messenger RNA).

Where in the cell are proteins synthesized?

Out in the cytoplasm on organelles called ribosomes.

What are the actual building blocks or ingredients that make up proteins?

Amino acids.

What is the function of mRNA in protein synthesis?

It acts as the template, recipe, or blueprint determining the correct sequence and order of amino acids.

What analogy is used to describe the role of ribosomes in protein synthesis?

The workbench where proteins are made.

In what two general locations can ribosomes be found inside the cell?

They can be free floating in the cytoplasm or stuck on an organelle.