protein synthesis

• What is the process of making proteins called?

  Protein synthesis
• What are the two main steps of protein synthesis?


  • Transcription
  • Translation
• What happens during transcription?


  A single gene of DNA is copied into mRNA
• What is the role of mRNA in protein synthesis?


  It carries the genetic information from DNA to ribosomes
• What is contained in the nucleus of almost every cell?


  All the genetic material in the form of DNA
• Why is DNA essential to life?


  It contains thousands of genes that code for proteins
• What are genes?


  Small sections of DNA with specific sequences of bases
• How do genes relate to amino acids?


  They code for specific sequences of amino acids
• What is the function of ribosomes in protein synthesis?


  They read mRNA and assemble amino acids into proteins
• Why can't DNA leave the nucleus?


  Because it is too large
• What does mRNA stand for?


  Messenger RNA
• How does the structure of mRNA differ from DNA?


  mRNA is shorter, single-stranded, and contains uracil instead of thymine
• What is the process of transcription in detail?


  1. RNA polymerase binds to DNA before the gene starts.
  2. DNA strands separate to expose bases.
  3. RNA polymerase reads DNA bases and synthesizes mRNA.
  4. mRNA bases are complementary to DNA bases (A-U, T-A, C-G, G-C).
  5. RNA polymerase detaches after synthesizing the mRNA strand.
• What is the template strand in transcription?


  The DNA strand used to make mRNA
• What is a codon?


  A group of three bases on mRNA that codes for an amino acid
• How many different amino acids do cells use?


  20 different amino acids
• What is the role of tRNA in translation?


  It brings amino acids to the ribosome based on mRNA codons
• How does tRNA ensure the correct amino acid is brought to the ribosome?


  Each tRNA has an anticodon that is complementary to the mRNA codon
• What are the steps of translation?

  1. mRNA and ribosome bind together.
  2. tRNA brings the correct amino acid to the ribosome.
  3. Ribosome joins amino acids together.
  4. Ribosome moves along mRNA, allowing new tRNA to bind.
  5. Process repeats until a complete protein chain is formed.
  6. The amino acid chain detaches and folds into a protein.
• What happens to the amino acid chain after it is formed?


  It detaches from the ribosome and folds into a protein
• What is the significance of the codon-anticodon pairing?


  It ensures the correct amino acid is added to the growing protein chain