DNA & Protein Synthesis

DNA

the molecule that carries genetic instructions for the development, functioning, growth, and reproduction of all known organisms

nucleotide

the monomer of DNA & RNA

base

a bitter, slippery substance

adenine

is a purine derivative nitrogenous base that serves as one of the four essential building blocks

thymine

a nitrogenous base that serves as one of the four core building blocks of DNA (pairs with adenine)

guanine

a purine derivative and one of the four main nitrogenous bases found in DNA and RNA (pairs with cytosine)

cytosine

a nitrogenous base that is one of the four building blocks of DNA and RNA (pairs with guanine)

DNA polymerase

a specialized enzyme (a biological catalyst) that facilitates the chemical synthesis of DNA strands by catalyzing the polymerization of deoxyribonucleotides

uracil

a naturally occurring pyrimidine derivative and a fundamental nitrogenous base found in ribonucleic acid (RNA) (also pairs with adenine)

mRNA

messenger RNA (mRNA) is a single-stranded linear polymer of ribonucleotides—comprising ribose sugar, phosphate groups, and nitrogenous bases (Adenine, Cytosine, Guanine, and Uracil)—that acts as the temporary genetic intermediate carrying instructions from DNA to the ribosome for protein synthesis.

RNA polymerase

a specialized enzyme that drives the synthesis of RNA molecules from a DNA template through a chemical process called transcription

ribosome

a complex macromolecular machine—composed of ribosomal RNA and proteins—that acts as the site of protein synthesis (translation) in all living cells

tRNA

a small type of RNA molecule, typically 76 to 90 nucleotides in length, that acts as an adaptor molecule in chemistry and biology, physically bridging the gap between nucleic acid sequences (mRNA) and amino acid sequences (proteins) during protein synthesis

condon

a specific sequence of three consecutive nucleotides (nitrogenous bases) on a messenger RNA (mRNA) molecule that acts as a genetic code for a particular amino acid or a signal during protein synthesis

how did discoveries by Chargaff and Frankiln help Watson and Crick discover the true molecular shape of DNA

chargaff found A-T, C-G, and franklin took photographs and her famous photo 51 showed that it was a tightly wound double helix structure

what common object best describes a double heilx

a twisted ladder

what is a DNA nucleotide made up of

sugar, phosphate group, and a base

what is the purpose of DNA replication

to make an exact copy of the molecule and DNA polymerase attaches the complementary bases

base pairs of DNA

a-t, c-g

base pairs of RNA

a-u, g-c

what is the purpose of RNA transcription in the nucleus

to change DNA language into RNA language, RNA polymerase attaches complementary bases to a detached strand

what is the purpose of mRNA

to carry instructions for making proteins from the nucleus out into the cytoplasm

where does RNA translation occur

in ribosomes (found in the cytoplasm)

what is the purpose of RNA translation

to decode messenger RNA to build protiens

what does each tRNA molecule carry

one amino acid

what does tRNA’s complementary base fit into

a specific condon

can you read genetic code

yes ! (or no.)

what is the product of protein synthesis

protein