u
A
n
w
o
n
Protein Synthesis: k
n
Terminology: U
Protein Synthesis = the process of making proteins in cells. It involves copying genetic
y
b
information from DNA to RNA, and then using this information to build proteins.
Transcription = the process by which DNA makes and codes mRNA.
mRNA = messenger RNA
ribosome = organelle where proteins are produced
Translation = process by which a specific protein is formed from a chain of amino
acids due to the sequence of codons in the mRNA which was coded during
transcription.
Gene = a section of DNA
Transcription:
Occurs in the nucleus
Starts when a gene unwinds and unzips as the weak hydrogen bonds between the
nitrogenous bases break via enzymes
Only one of the DNA strands are used as a template
Free floating mRNA codons in the nucleus pair up with a DNA triplet, that has its
complimentary bases on the DNA strand acting as a template
The mRNA codons join up (phosphate to ribose sugar) to form a strand of mRNA
The DNA has now transcribed its genetic code to the mRNA which breaks away and
the DNA re-zips
The mRNA leaves the nucleus through pores in the nuclear membrane and carries
the genetic code to the ribosomes
Translation:
Occurs on the ribosomes in cytoplasm
The mRNA is the template that determines the order in which the amino acids are
linked
tRNA nucleotides are found in the cytoplasm of the cell and have 3 bases called anti-
codons
The tRNA links up with a specific amino acid in the cytoplasm which is determined by
the anti-codon
The tRNA brings its amino acid to the ribosome where the anti-codon links with its
complimentary mRNA codon
The amino acid is released from the tRNA anti-codon and links up with the adjacent
amino acid by means of a peptide bond
The tRNA molecule is also released and leaves the ribosomes…a new tRNA enters the
ribosome
At the end, a stop codon signals that the protein chain is complete
A
n
w
o
n
Protein Synthesis: k
n
Terminology: U
Protein Synthesis = the process of making proteins in cells. It involves copying genetic
y
b
information from DNA to RNA, and then using this information to build proteins.
Transcription = the process by which DNA makes and codes mRNA.
mRNA = messenger RNA
ribosome = organelle where proteins are produced
Translation = process by which a specific protein is formed from a chain of amino
acids due to the sequence of codons in the mRNA which was coded during
transcription.
Gene = a section of DNA
Transcription:
Occurs in the nucleus
Starts when a gene unwinds and unzips as the weak hydrogen bonds between the
nitrogenous bases break via enzymes
Only one of the DNA strands are used as a template
Free floating mRNA codons in the nucleus pair up with a DNA triplet, that has its
complimentary bases on the DNA strand acting as a template
The mRNA codons join up (phosphate to ribose sugar) to form a strand of mRNA
The DNA has now transcribed its genetic code to the mRNA which breaks away and
the DNA re-zips
The mRNA leaves the nucleus through pores in the nuclear membrane and carries
the genetic code to the ribosomes
Translation:
Occurs on the ribosomes in cytoplasm
The mRNA is the template that determines the order in which the amino acids are
linked
tRNA nucleotides are found in the cytoplasm of the cell and have 3 bases called anti-
codons
The tRNA links up with a specific amino acid in the cytoplasm which is determined by
the anti-codon
The tRNA brings its amino acid to the ribosome where the anti-codon links with its
complimentary mRNA codon
The amino acid is released from the tRNA anti-codon and links up with the adjacent
amino acid by means of a peptide bond
The tRNA molecule is also released and leaves the ribosomes…a new tRNA enters the
ribosome
At the end, a stop codon signals that the protein chain is complete
