Protein synthesis

• Each group of 3 bases codes for an amino acid
• The amino acids are joined together and fold to make a protein
• It's the different types and order of amino acids that determine which type of protein it is
• 1. DNA contains the genetic code for making a protein, but it cannot move out of the nucleus as it is too big
• 2. The mRNA nucleotides are then joined together creating a new strand called the mRNA strand. This is a template of the original DNA.
• 3. An enzyme called RNA polymerase binds to a non-coding region located in front of a gene on the DNA strand.
• 4. The two strands of DNA pull apart from each other, and RNA polymerase allows mRNA nucleotides to match to their complementary base on the strand.
• 5. The mRNA then moves out of the nucleus to the cytoplasm and onto structures called ribosomes.
• 6. At the ribosomes, the bases on the mRNA are read in threes to code for an amino acid.
• 7. The corresponding amino acids are brought to the ribosomes by carrier molecules called tRNAs.
• 8. These amino acids connect together to form a polypeptide (amino acids linked by peptide bonds).
• 9. When the chain is complete, the protein folds to form a unique 3D structure which is the final protein.