1. PROTEIN SYNTHESIS

2. Overview
DNA  RNA  Protein

3. DNA  RNA DNA stays in the nucleus, RNA is mobile
Differences between DNA and RNA
Sugar: DNA = deoxyribose; RNA = ribose
Number of Strands: DNA is double stranded, RNA is single-stranded
Nitrogenous base: DNA contains Thymine (T), RNA contains Uracil (U)
Which complements which other base??

4. Types of RNA Messenger RNA (mRNA) Transfer RNA (tRNA)
Carries information from DNA to the rest of the cell
Transfer RNA (tRNA)
Codes for and transfers amino acids to ribosome
Ribosomal RNA (rRNA)
Components of ribosomes (~2/3)

5. mRNA, tRNA, and rRNA: Pictures
Transfer RNA
Ribosomal RNA
Messenger RNA

6. Producing RNA: Transcription
Definition: the production of RNA from DNA
DNA is a template to produce complementary RNA
What does this mean?
“Unzipping” of DNA starts the process (similar to DNA replication*)
Done by an enzyme
Starts at “promoter” regions of DNA
RNA is formed as a complementary strand, and then breaks off
“Editing” to remove certain parts

8. From RNA to Protein: Some definitions
Polypeptides: links of amino acids that form proteins
Genetic code: the four nucleotides (A, C, G, and U) that code for proteins
Codon: the three nucleotide “word” that codes for a single amino acid

9. From RNA to Protein: Translation
Definition: Decoding of mRNA into a protein
Ribosome attaches to mRNA at “start” codon
tRNA (containing anti-codon) brings corresponding amino acid
Ribosome attaches amino acids to chain
When ribosome reaches a “stop” codon, it releases the polypeptide and the mRNA

10. Translation