Protein synthesis

Anatomy

Where is the genetic information found in the cell?

In every body cell of the human body, the genetic material is found in 46 chromosomes made of DNA.  They are contained within the nucleus for protection.

What are the characteristics of DNA?

• DNA is shaped like a twisted ladder, which is called a double helix.  

• The sides of the ladder are made of sugar and phosphate molecules, while the rungs are made of nitrogen bases (adenine, thymine, cytosine & guanine).

• A always bonds with T and C always bonds with G.  This is called the principle of base pairing.

What is DNA used to code for?

For all of the proteins required by the body. 

What are the two major processes to create protein?

Transcription & Translation

What is a section of a DNA that codes for a protein called?

A gene.

What happens during transcription?

• converting the DNA code into an mRNA message. 

• The DNA template is easy to follow because of the base-pairing rule.

  • Whenever the DNA sequence contains A, however, a uracil (U) is made rather than a T. 

What happens during Translation

• The mRNA strand leaves the cell’s nucleus and heads to the ribosome, where proteins are made.

• Starting at the “START” codon (first set of 3 mRNA bases), tRNA molecules bring in amino acids that match with the codons on the mRNA.

• These amino acids link together into a polypeptide chain, which eventually folds into a protein.