How do we get actual traits from our genes and DNA? Protein Synthesis

What we know: DNA consists of A, T, C and G’s (about 3 billion of them!) in a double helix structure. Our traits are passed down to us from both parents when sperm and eggs are made during meiosis. In most cases, we can determine the probability of getting certain traits by using a Punnett square. Proteins are one of the 4 carbon compounds and are made up of amino acids. They make up most of our bodies.

What we know from the homework: Characteristics of DNA Characteristics of RNA # of strands: two # of strands: one Name of sugar: Name of sugar: deoxyribose ribose Bases involved: Bases involved: ATCG (thymine) AUCG (uracil) Location: nucleus Location: nucleus to cytoplasm

Example strands: DNA: ATC CTA GAT TAC GCC TAG GAT CTA ATG CGG RNA: AUC CUA GAU UAC CGG 3 Types of RNA: mRNA: carries the message from the DNA to the ribosome tRNA: transfers the correct amino acid to the ribosome to make a protein rRNA: makes up the ribosomes

So…how do we actually get our traits? Problem: Our DNA cannot leave the nucleus. Why not? How do we get proteins out of DNA letters? Which organelle makes proteins?

Protein Synthesis Part 1: Transcription Occurs in the nucleus Copies DNA into mRNA so it can leave the nucleus Copy this DNA strand into mRNA. ACT CAT TAT CCT GAC TAC

Protein Synthesis Part 2: Translation The mRNA strand moves to the ribosome The ribosome “reads” the mRNA codons The tRNA brings the correct amino acid to the ribosome The amino acids combine to form a protein