RNA and Protein Synthesis
DNA
Structure of RNA
Three Types of RNA
Most genes contain instructions for assembling amino acids into proteins
Transcription Process of copying part of DNA sequence into complementary RNA RNA polymerase Promoters – start signals Takes place in the nucleus After Transcription, RNA is edited Introns cut out, Exons are kept
Proteins Long chain of amino acids (polypeptide) mRNA instructions called the genetic code Codon = 3-letter “word” in mRNA The 3-letter word codes for a certain amino acid (see table, book pg. 303)
Decoding the message on the mRNA happens during translation Sequence of bases in mRNA gives instructions for order of joining amino acids Decoding the message on the mRNA happens during translation On the ribosomes
Translation (cont.) tRNA brings the complementary anticodon and amino acid Ribosome forms the peptide bond Polypeptide grows until stop codon Proteins are the tools that build or operate a component of a living cell
RNA editing Introns – sequence of DNA not involved in coding for proteins (cut out of RNA in nucleus) Exons – sequences of DNA that are involved in coding for proteins (“expressed”)