DNA -> RNA -> Proteins The basic language of all living things.

A Gene A gene is a section of DNA that codes for a specific protein Only a very small percentage of our DNA (perhaps 1%) actually does this A gene is a section of DNA that codes for a specific protein Only a very small percentage of our DNA (perhaps 1%) actually does this

RNA - ribonucleic acid RNA is short compared to DNA RNA has one strand instead of two C, G, A, and U (uracil) instead of C,G,A, and T (U takes the place of T) RNA is short compared to DNA RNA has one strand instead of two C, G, A, and U (uracil) instead of C,G,A, and T (U takes the place of T)

Messenger RNA DNA is a large and bulky molecules, it does not travel well, so when it wants to make a protein it makes and mRNA copy of the instructions

Transcription This process is called transcription, because the DNA transcribes “copies” itself It takes advantage of base pairing This process is called transcription, because the DNA transcribes “copies” itself It takes advantage of base pairing

RNA Polymerase An enzyme called RNA Polymerase makes all of this happen The enzyme puts the new nucleotides in place An enzyme called RNA Polymerase makes all of this happen The enzyme puts the new nucleotides in place

mRNA finds a ribosome mRNA moves out of the nucleus into the cytoplasm of the cell where it finds a ribosome The ribosome is made of RNA and it will serve as a work bench for making proteins mRNA moves out of the nucleus into the cytoplasm of the cell where it finds a ribosome The ribosome is made of RNA and it will serve as a work bench for making proteins

Translation Once attached to the ribosome, the mRNA is translated from the language of nucleic acids to the language of amino acids Each three letter word or “codon” calls for one amino acids Once attached to the ribosome, the mRNA is translated from the language of nucleic acids to the language of amino acids Each three letter word or “codon” calls for one amino acids

tRNA It is the job of the transfer RNA is to transfer the correct amino acid to the correct mRNA codon

Polypeptide chain In this way a polypeptide is made Each time a tRNA connects to a mRNA one amino acid is added to the growing chain In this way a polypeptide is made Each time a tRNA connects to a mRNA one amino acid is added to the growing chain

Summary Can you label all of the parts in this diagram? A_________ B_________ C_________ D_________ E_________ Can you label all of the parts in this diagram? A_________ B_________ C_________ D_________ E_________ DNA mRNA Amino Acid tRNA Ribosome