lecture 6 Flashcards
what is the function of ribosomes?
translation
- about 50,000 per cell (depending on the growth rate)
what is the average size of a bacterial protein?
~300 amino acids
is mRNA or the coded protein bigger?
mRNA
why do bacteria lack a membrane enclosed nucleus?
They have to respond to changes very quickly
- the ribosomes can readily access mRNA once it is made
what are the advanges to bacteria having no membrane enclosed nucleus?
-prevents accumulation of non-functional transcripts in the cytoplasm
- avoids the formation of RNA-DNA loops
- Regulation of transcription pausing by translation: gene regulatory mechanism
what is the structure of the bacterial ribosome?
a large multi protein complex (70S)
- two subunits; 30S (small), 50S (large)
RNA and protein
how is RNA stabilised?
by alot of small proteins
what is the difference between bacterial and mammalian ribosome structure?
mammalian ribosome is slightly larger
what are the steps involved in bacterial translation?
- initiation
- elongation
- termination
- recycling of the ribosomes
what stabilises RNA?
a lot of small proteins
what are the tRNA binding sites on the ribosome?
A, P, E
what is the function of the A tRNA binding site?
aminoacyl-tRNA enters the ribosome
what is the function of the P tRNA binding site?
hold tRNA carrying the nascent chain
what is the function of the E tRNA binding site?
tRNA dissociated from the ribosome
how is the ribosomes polysome arranged?
to avoid direct collision during elongation
- the ribosomes can communicate within the cell to stop them from bumping into each other