Cell Structure And Microscopy: Interrelationships

Question 1

In protein synthesis, what happens in the nucleus?

Answer 1

• DNA in the nucleus contains the code to make proteins
• mRNA copy of the gene for the protein is made and leaves the nucleus

Question 2

In protein synthesis, what occurs in the cytoplasm?

Answer 2

• mRNA leaves the nucleus through a nuclear pore
• mRNA attaches to a ribosome, in this case attached to the endoplasmic reticulum
• Ribosome reads the instructions to assemble the protein
• Protein molecules are ‘pinched off’ in vesicles and travel towards the Golgi apparatus
• Vesicle fuses with Golgi apparatus
• Golgi apparatus processes and packages protein molecules ready for release
• Packaged protein molecules are ‘pinched off’ in vesicles from Golgi apparatus and move towards cell surface membrane

Question 3

In protein synthesis, what occurs at the cell surface membrane?

Answer 3

• Vesicle fuses with cell surface membrane
• Cell Surface membrane opens to release protein molecules outside (is released by exocytosis)