5.4--Protein Synthesis

• The two steps of protein synthesis are transcription and translation
• During transcription, DNA is written as a message into the mRNA from within the nucleus
• The enzyme RNA polymerase connects matching RNA bases to the DNA
• mRNA is edited before being sent into the cytoplasm for translation
• mRNA attaches to a ribosome for translation
• tRNAs are in the cytoplasm and carry amino acids to create proteins
• As tRNAs look for matching codons for their anticodons, they read the mRNA in groups of 3 (codons)
• Once matching anticodon and codon are found, tRNA leaves but amino acid remains to build protein
• Peptide bonds hold together amino acids in a protein