Biology Unit 4 Notes: RNA & Protein Synthesis
(1) What is Protein Synthesis? The process of using the “code” in DNA to make proteins. Happens in 2 parts: Transcription Translation
(2) Molecules & Locations In the Nucleus: DNA mRNA Outside the Nucleus: tRNA rRNA Amino Acids
(3) What is RNA? A type of nucleic acid (like DNA). RNA Nucleotides are made of: Phosphate Ribose Sugar Nitrogenous Base The 4 Types of RNA Bases are: Adenine (A) Uracil (U) Guanine (G) Cytosine (C) RNA is 1 single spiraling strand.
(4) What happens in Transcription? The “code” from DNA is transcribed (or copied) onto a molecule of mRNA (messenger RNA). The cell matches up the bases from a strand of DNA, with RNA nucleotides to make the strand of messenger RNA. No T’s (thymine) Any place you would normally put a T, you put a U (for uracil) in RNA.
(5) Transcription Example A strand of DNA has the following base sequence: T A C - G G C - A T C Write out the matching bases for the strand of mRNA:
(6) What happens in Translation? The copied code on messenger RNA is used to sequence Amino Acids and make a protein. mRNA leaves the nucleus. Every 3 bases on mRNA matches up with a specific tRNA (transfer RNA). Each specific tRNA brings in (or transfers) in a specific Amino Acid. All parts move through the rRNA (ribosomal RNA) unit. Amino Acids connected at the end to make a protein.
(7) Translation Example A strand of mRNA has the following base sequence: AUG - CCG - UAG Write out the matching amino acids:
(8) Codons & Anticodons A codon is: 3 bases on messenger RNA. An anticodon is: 3 bases on transfer RNA. The codons on mRNA and the anticodons on tRNA must match up to bring in the correct amino acid sequence.
(9) Mutations A mutation is when there’s a change to 1 or more bases in DNA. Can be caused by: Genetics, random error, chemicals, radiation. When the DNA bases change, the mRNA bases change. This brings in the wrong tRNA and Amino Acid. This makes the wrong protein.