protein synthesis

• Amino Acids


  Building blocks of protein

  
• Proteins


  A biomolecule that is important to the structure, function, and regulation of the body. It also speeds up chemical reactions by lowering activation energy.
• Nucleic acids


  biomolecules, such as DNA or RNA, composed of nucleotides that control cellular functions and heredity.

  
• mRNA


  messenger RNA; type of RNA that carries instructions from DNA in the nucleus to the ribosome

  
• tRNA


  transfer RNA; type of RNA that carries amino acids to the ribosome

  
• rRNA


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

  
• Ribosome


  Cell structure where proteins are synthesized (made). Site of translation.

  
• Transcription


  synthesis of messenger RNA molecule from a DNA template

  
• Translation


  Process by which mRNA is decoded and a protein is produced

  
• Protein synthesis


  the formation of proteins by using information contained in DNA and carried by mRNA. It includes transcription and translation.

  
• Codon


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

  
• Anti-codon


  a sequence of three nucleotides forming a unit of genetic code in a transfer RNA molecule, corresponding to a complementary codon in messenger RNA.

  
• Nucleotide


  A building block of DNA, consisting of a five-carbon sugar, nitrogenous base and a phosphate group.

  
• Trait


  A physical or behavioral characteristic that an organism can pass on to its offspring through its genes.

  
• DNA


  deoxyribonucleic acid, a self-replicating material present in nearly all living organisms as the main constituent of chromosomes. It is the carrier of genetic information.

  
• RNA vs DNA


  ribose vs. deoxyribose, single stranded vs. double stranded, uracil vs. thymine

  
• Nucleus


  Stores DNA. Site of transcription.

  
• Polypeptide chain


  A chain of amino acids linked together by peptide bonds.

  
• Monomer


  A simple compound whose molecules can join together to form polymers (larger molecules)

  
• Nitrogen base


  The chemicals that make up the rungs of the DNA ladder. A-T and C-G match. The sequence makes us unique.

  
• Uracil


  Nitrogen base that pairs with adenine in RNA. In DNA its place is taken by thymine.
• 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 the structure that contains all the genetic material of a cell?

  The nucleus
• Why is DNA essential to life?

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

  Small sections of DNA that code for specific proteins
• 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 to exit the nucleus
• What does mRNA stand for?

  Messenger RNA
• How does mRNA differ from DNA?

  mRNA is shorter, single-stranded, and contains uracil instead of thymine
• What are the steps involved in transcription?

  1. RNA polymerase binds to DNA before the gene.
  2. DNA strands separate to expose bases.
  3. RNA polymerase reads DNA bases and synthesizes mRNA.
  4. mRNA is complementary to DNA bases (A-U, T-A, C-G, G-C).
  5. RNA polymerase detaches, and mRNA leaves the nucleus.
• 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 are used to make proteins?

  20 different amino acids
• What does the triplet 'agu' code for?

  The amino acid serine
• What is the role of tRNA in translation?

  It brings amino acids to the ribosome based on mRNA codons
• What is an anticodon?

  A sequence of three bases on tRNA that is complementary to mRNA codons
• How does the ribosome know which amino acid to add next?

  It reads the codons on the mRNA and matches them with tRNA anticodons