DNA/RNA/Protein Synthesis Review

DNA

Deoxyribonucleic Acid

Function of DNA

Stores genetic instructions for development, functioning, growth, and reproduction of organisms

What is DNA made of?

Nucleotides

Parts of a DNA nucleotide

Deoxyribose sugar, phosphate group, nitrogenous base

Structure of DNA

Double-stranded (double helix)

Nitrogenous bases in DNA

Adenine, Guanine, Cytosine, Thymine

DNA base pairing rule

A = T, C = G

Memory trick for DNA base pairing

A–T (Apples in a Tree), C–G (Cars in a Garage)

RNA

Ribonucleic Acid

Function of RNA

Copies base sequences from DNA to help produce proteins

What is RNA made of?

Nucleotides

Parts of an RNA nucleotide

Ribose sugar, phosphate group, nitrogenous base

Structure of RNA

Single-stranded

Nitrogenous bases in RNA

Adenine, Guanine, Cytosine, Uracil

Which base replaces thymine in RNA?

Uracil

RNA base pairing rule

A = U, C = G

Three types of RNA

mRNA, rRNA, tRNA

carries coded instructions from DNA to the ribosome

Messenger RNA (mRNA)

Forms part of the ribosome, the protein-making machinery

Ribosomal RNA (rRNA)

Transfers amino acids to the ribosome to build proteins

Transfer RNA (tRNA)

Sugar in DNA vs RNA

DNA - Deoxyribose | RNA - Ribose

Strands in DNA vs RNA

DNA - Double stranded | RNA - Single stranded

Base difference between DNA and RNA

RNA contains uracil instead of thymine

Process where DNA is copied into RNA (DNA → RNA)

Transcription

Location of transcription

Nucleus

Enzyme used in transcription

RNA polymerase

Key change during transcription

Uracil (U) replaces thymine (T)

Result of transcription

mRNA leaves the nucleus carrying the protein blueprint

The process of converting mRNA into a protein (mRNA → Protein)

Translation

Location of translation

Ribosomes in the cytoplasm

What are codons?

Three-nucleotide units on mRNA

Role of tRNA in translation

Brings amino acids to the ribosome by matching anticodons to codons

What is formed during translation?

A polypeptide (protein) chain

What ends translation?

A stop codon

Central Dogma of Molecular Biology

DNA → RNA → Protein