Chapter 8 - DNA genes and protein synhesis Flashcards
what are the two stages of protein synthesis
- transcription
- translation
what happens in transcription
1) DNA helicase unwinds a segment of the DNA by disrupting the h bonds to expose the bases to act as a template strand
2) only one strand of DNA acts as a template
3) free RNA nucleotides in the nucleus pairs with the exposed base pairs on the template strand by complimentary bae pairing
4) the RNA polymerase binds to the promotor region (start of the gene) and joins nucleotides together by phosphodiester bonds to form a single strand of pre MRNA via condensation reactions
5) The DNA recloses behind the RNA polymerase as it moves a long the gene and once the RNA polymerase reaches the terminator region (end of the gene) of the gene it detaches and the pre mRNA is then complete
6) the pre mRNA the is modified to become mRNA that is ready to leave the nucleus and take part in translation
advantages of the structure of mRNA
shorter than DNA so is able to carry the genetic code to the ribosome in the cytoplasm to enable the protein to be made
what is the aim of transcription
to make a RNA copy of a gene’s DNA sequence
how is the pre MRNA modified
- the introns are SPLICED OUT (removed) and the exons are SPLICED TOGETHER (joined) by a protein called a splicesome in the pre mRNA to form mature mRNA
process of translation
1) once the modified mRNA has left the nucleusand the small unit of the ribosome attaches to the start codon (the 3’ end)
2) the tRNA molecule brings a specific amino acid and binds its complementary anticodon to the start codon of the mRNA and is held in place by the hydrogen bonds between the complementry base pairs on the mRNA and tRNA
3) the large subunit of the protein then binds to the ribosome and a second tRNA molecule with a complimentary anticodon is able to bind to the next mRNA codon
4) the two specfic amino acids that are attached to the tRNA molecules are joined by a peptide bond and is catalysed by an enzyme which requires ATP via a condensation reaction using energy from hydrolysis of ATP
5)the ribosome moves along the mRNA molecule by 3 base pairs and the first tRNA molecule is released causing the second tRNA molecule to be in same position of the first tRNA molecule in the ribosome but with a dipeptide
6) This continues until the ribosome reaches the stop codon at the end of the mRNA molecule, the stop codon does not code for an amino acid, so the ribosome detaches and translation ends
7) the polypeptide chain is now created and will enter the Golgi for modifiction
how is the polypeptide chain made into a protein
it is coiled and folded into its secondary structure and the secondary structures folded to make tertiary structure, the different polypetide chains with prosthetic groups (non proteins) link to form a quaternary structure forming a protein
codon
a sequence of 3 bases on a mRNA molecule that codes for one amino acid
genome
a complete set of genes in a cell
complete proteome
full set of proteins the genome can produce
proteome
the proteins produced by a specific cell under certain conditions
RNA
a polymer of a nucleotide formed of ribose a nitrogenous base and a phosphate group
what are the nitrogenous bases for RNA
adenine guanine cytosine and uracil
characteristics of RNA
- it is single stranded
- has a pentose sugar called ribose
- each RNA nucleotide has 4 bases
function of RNA
- it copies and transfers the genetic code from the DNA in the nucleus to the ribosomes.
- Some RNA is also combined with the proteins to create ribosomes
what is mRNA
a single stranded copy of a gene from DNA arranged in a single helix
three types of RNA
mRNA - (messenger RNA)
tRNA - (transfer RNA)
rRNA - (ribosomal RNA)
why cant the DNA leave the cell and be used for translation
as the DNA is too large to leave the nucleus and would be at risk of being damaged by enzymes therefore destroying genetic code
why is mRNA used in translation
- mRNA is much shorter as it is only the length of one gene and so can leave the nucleus
- mRNA is short-lived since it is only needed temporarily so by the time the enzyme could break it down it would have already carried out its function
where is tRNA found
in the cytoplasm
where is mRNA made
in the nucleus
structure of tRNA
it is single-stranded but folded to create a clover leaf shape which is held by hydrogen bonds