transcription and translation

• What is the process of making proteins called?

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

  Transcription and translation
• What is transcription in protein synthesis?

  Copying a gene of DNA into mRNA
• What structure contains all the genetic material in a cell?

  The nucleus
• What is translation in protein synthesis?

  Using mRNA to produce a protein
• Why is DNA essential to life?

  It contains thousands of genes
• What do genes code for?

  A specific sequence of amino acids
• What is the role of ribosomes in protein synthesis?

  They read mRNA to produce proteins
• Why can't DNA leave the nucleus?

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

  Messenger RNA
• How is mRNA different from DNA?

  mRNA is single-stranded and shorter
• What base does mRNA contain instead of thymine?

  Uracil
• What is the role of RNA polymerase in transcription?

  It binds to DNA and synthesizes mRNA
• What happens to the DNA strands during transcription?

  They separate to expose bases
• How do mRNA bases pair with DNA bases?

  They are complementary to each other
• What does a triplet or codon in mRNA code for?

  A specific 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
• What is an anticodon?

  A sequence of three bases on tRNA
• How does tRNA ensure the correct amino acid is brought to the ribosome?

  It is specific to a particular mRNA codon
• What happens when the ribosome reaches the end of the mRNA?

  The amino acid chain detaches and folds
• What are the steps of transcription?

  1. RNA polymerase binds to DNA
  2. DNA strands separate
  3. RNA polymerase reads DNA bases
  4. Complementary mRNA bases are added
  5. mRNA strand is formed and detaches
• What are the steps of translation?

  1. mRNA and ribosome bind together
  2. tRNA brings amino acids to ribosome
  3. Ribosome joins amino acids together
  4. Process repeats until protein is formed
  5. Amino acid chain detaches and folds
• What are the differences between DNA and RNA?

  • DNA: double-stranded, contains thymine
  • RNA: single-stranded, contains uracil
  • DNA: longer, stores genetic information
  • RNA: shorter, involved in protein synthesis
• What is the relationship between codons and amino acids?

  • Each codon (triplet) codes for one amino acid
  • 20 amino acids correspond to different codons
  • Example: AUG codes for Methionine
• What is the significance of the template strand in transcription?

  • It serves as the guide for mRNA synthesis
  • Ensures complementary base pairing occurs
  • Only one strand of DNA is used for mRNA
• What is the role of the ribosome in protein synthesis?

  • Binds mRNA and tRNA
  • Joins amino acids to form proteins
  • Facilitates translation process
• What happens to the amino acid chain after translation?

  • The chain detaches from the ribosome
  • It folds into a functional protein
  • It may undergo further modifications