GENETIC CODE AND PROTEIN SYNTHESIS

• 1. Genetic information in DNA is copied into mRNA, which is then processed and moves out of the nucleus to ribosomes in the cell's cytoplasm.
• 2. mRNA leaves the nucleus and attaches to a ribosome, where the genetic information in the mRNA is translated into a sequence of amino acids in a protein. ​
• 3. Molecules of tRNA pick up specific amino acids according to their anticodons. tRNA activation occurs when the correct amino acid is attached to each tRNA. ​
• 4. A start codon on the mRNA binds to the first tRNA carrying methionine. As the ribosome moves along the mRNA, each new amino acid is added to the growing protein chain.
• 5. The ribosome eventually reaches a stop codon, signaling the end of protein synthesis, and the protein is released. The tRNA then returns to be recharged with a new amino acid.