Protein Synthesis Mrs Young's Style

Protein Synthesis

Creates proteins from DNA

mRNA (messenger RNA) function

is to carry sections of this genetic information to the ribosome.

tRNA (transfer RNA)

Anticodon that is three consecutive bases, and codes for a specific amino acid.

tRNA function

is to carry a specific amino acid to the ribosome, and its anticodon complementary (H-bonding) matches to the codon (three consecutive bases) on the mRNA strand. The amino acid bonds with another amino acid to produce a polypeptide chain and a specific protein.

Transcription

The process that makes mRNA

Transcription Factors

A regulatory protein that binds to DNA and affects transcription of specific genes.

Translation function

mRNA is used to create (turn into) a (functional) protein / polypeptide chain

Anticodon

Three bases that code for an amino acid

Codon

three-nucleotide sequence on messenger RNA that codes for a single amino acid

Codon Table

Table that interprets the three base pair sequence and identifies the amino acid they represent

Redundancy

As some amino acids are coded for by several codons. One example of redundancy is that UUU and UUC both code for the amino acid phenylalanine.

Degeneracy

As the third position of codon can change (e.g. UUU) can change (e.g. to UUC) and result in the same amino acid being coded for. It is said that degeneracy leads to redundancy in the code.

DNA Polymerase

Enzyme involved in DNA replication that joins individual nucleotides to produce a DNA molecule

RNA Polymerase

enzyme that links together the growing chain of RNA nucleotides during transcription using a DNA strand as a template

Transcription Bubble

The site at which the double helix is unwound so that RNA polymerase can use one of the DNA strands as a template for RNA synthesis.

Coding strand of DNA

The original strand off which the new nucleotide sequence is based. Almost the same as mRNA

Template Strand

The single DNA strand that is "read" during transcription to synthesize a complementary mRNA (messenger RNA) molecule.

Significance of mRNA

mRNA is short-lived, providing valid reason/s, e.g. mRNA is only used to make protein for a short time / don't want to waste materials /regulation of proteins (by breaking down mRNA quickly) / adjusts protein production in response to cell environment

Gene

is a section of DNA that codes for a protein / enzyme / trait.

RNA processing

process where introns are removed and exons are expressed.

Nucleotide Bases in DNA

A, T, C and G

Sugar in DNA

Deoxyribose

Sugar in RNA

Ribose

DNA ladder

RNA

single-stranded nucleic acid that contains the sugar ribose

DNA

A complex molecule containing the genetic information that makes up the chromosomes.

rRNA

ribosomal RNA; type of RNA that makes up part of the ribosome

Amino Acids

building blocks of proteins

Triplet in DNA

each sequence of three bases on DNA

Complementary Base Pairing

In DNA, T pairs with A; G pairs with C;

RNA, U pairs with A and G pairs with C

Double helix

two strands of nucleotides wound about each other; structure of DNA

Enzyme

Is a biological catalyst / speeds up biological reactions and is made of protein.

Start Amino Acid

Methionine (Met)

Stop Amino Acids

UAA, UAG, UGA

Nucleus

A part of the cell containing DNA and RNA and responsible for growth and reproduction

Cytoplasm

A jellylike fluid inside the cell in which the organelles are suspended