Molecules to Eye Color DNA, RNA and Protein Synthesis

DNA Deoxyribonucleic Acid Molecule that carries genetic information Found in the nucleus of every cell

Structure Composed of chains of nucleotides Nucleotides have 3 parts Phosphate Deoxyribose sugar Nitrogen base –4 kinds- G,C,T,A

Chains have a backbone of Phosphates and deoxyribose sugars With nitrogen bases sticking out

DNA is double stranded Another chain lines up with the nitrogen bases of the first G pairs with C and T pairs with A The bases (and strands)are held together by hydrogen bonds This forms a ladder shape ladder is twisted forming a double helix

DNA Replication Process of making 2 identical strands of DNA An enzyme called DNA polymerase unzips the two strands by breaking the h-bonds. Nucleotides with complimentary bases are attached to the exposed strands This results in 2 identical strands

RNA Ribonucleic acid Functions in turning DNA code into proteins 3 types –mRNA, tRNA, rRNA

Structure Chains of nucleotides 3 main differences between DNA and RNA 1. Ribose sugar (not deoxyribose) 2. Has U (uracil) instead of T (thymine) 3. Single strand (not double)

Protein Synthesis Converting DNA code into proteins Proteins are composed of chains of amino acids (AA)

Transcription mRNA is created from DNA Section of DNA (gene) unzips RNA nucleotides are paired with exposed bases

mRNA strand leaves the nucleus DNA zips back up

Codon- 3 base sequence of mRNA Anticodon- 3 base sequence on the tRNA

Translation mRNA codons are matched with tRNA anticodons. This places AA’s in a specific order.

AA’s bond together as tRNA release Creating a chain of AA’s with a specific sequence Chains of AA’s = protein