1. DNA to RNA to Protein

2. RNA Made up of 1. Phosphate 2. Ribose (a sugar) 3. Four bases RNA bases are: Adenine Guanine Cytosine Uracil (instead of thymine)

3. Single stranded Forms part of ribosomes Three types of RNA: rRNA (ribosomal) tRNA (transfer) mRNA (messenger)

4. TRANSCRIPTION USING DNA TO MAKE RNA RNA polymerase (an enzyme) unzips DNA by breaking the Hydrogen bonds between the bases.

5. Only one strand of DNA is transcribed. Complementary RNA nucleotides are added to the DNA strand. DNA RNA  A – U  G – C  T – A  C – G

6. The start codon is the signal for the place to start transcription. Transcription stops at the stop codons. The sequence of bases along DNA that is transcribed is a gene. The RNA that is made is mRNA.

8. mRNA PROCESSING After mRNA is made, enzymes may cut out pieces of the strand. The sections that are removed are called introns.

9. The sections that remain are called exons and are put together. The finished/mature mRNA strand then leaves the nucleus and is ready for translation.

11. The Importance of Proteins Each gene controls the making of one protein. A gene is a specific sequence or pattern of bases along a DNA molecule that codes for a protein (or polypeptide).

12. 20 amino acids make up all proteins Required for almost every reaction that occurs in your body!

13. CODONS Codon - three bases in a row that determine the amino acid that is used to make a protein. Four different bases taken three at a time leads to 64 possible combinations or codons.

14. mRNA Codon Chart

15. Some codons do not represent amino acids, but instead act as stop signals (the end of a protein). Note, an amino acid may have more than one codon.

16. TRANSLATION FROM mRNA TO PROTEIN Begins when a ribosome attaches to a mRNA strand. mRNA is used to make a specific protein (or polypeptide).

17. RIBOSOMES The organelle where proteins are made. They are made up of 2 subunits with 2 binding sites.

19. tRNA (transfer RNA) is a strand of nucleotides that has an amino acid attached to it. tRNA carries the appropriate amino acid to the mRNA/ribosome complex.

20. The anticodon on the tRNA is the complement of the codon on the mRNA. So, if UGG is the mRNA codon, then the tRNA’s anticodon is ACC.

21. The start codon (AUG) matches with UAC anticodon and carries the amino acid methionine.

22. Translation begins with the start codon. Each amino acid that is brought in to the ribosome is attached to the growing amino acid chain (or protein) The bond between amino acids is called a peptide bond.

24. About 15 amino acids are added per second. Translation stops when a stop codon is reached. There are no anticodons for the stop codons. The polypeptide or protein is released to do its job.