Protein Synthesis

• What is the first step of transcription?

  The hydrogen bonds between DNA strands are broken
• What is the role of RNA polymerase in transcription?

  It joins adjacent RNA nucleotides with phosphodiester bonds
• Where does transcription occur in eukaryotes?

  In the nucleus
• What is the difference between transcription in eukaryotes and prokaryotes?

  Eukaryotes produce pre-mRNA in the nucleus
• What are exons and introns?

  Exons are coding regions; introns are non-coding
• What happens during splicing in eukaryotes?

  Introns are removed, leaving only exons
• Where does translation occur in the cell?

  At the ribosome
• What is the function of tRNA during translation?

  It brings specific amino acids to the ribosome
• What is a codon?

  A sequence of three nucleotides in mRNA
• How are amino acids joined during translation?

  By peptide bonds in a condensation reaction
• What is a stop codon?

  A sequence that signals the end of translation
• What is the end result of translation?

  A polypeptide chain is formed
• What are the main steps of transcription?

  1. DNA strands separate
  2. RNA polymerase synthesizes pre-mRNA
  3. Splicing occurs to remove introns
  4. Mature mRNA is formed
• What are the main steps of translation?

  1. mRNA binds to ribosome
  2. tRNA brings amino acids
  3. Codons match with anticodons
  4. Peptide bonds form between amino acids
  5. Stop codon signals termination