protein synthesis

Question 1

what are proteins polymers of

Answer 1

proteins are polymers of amino acids

Question 2

what does the order of the amino acids determine in terms of the protein

Answer 2

the order of the amino acids determines the shape of the protein (and the shape of the protein determines its function)

Question 3

what is the order of amino acids in a protein determined by

Answer 3

the order of amino acids in a protein is determined by the sequence of bases in the gene for that protein

Question 4

what does each triplet (a series of 3 bases) code for

Answer 4

each triplet codes for a specific amino acid in the protein

Question 5

explain the process of protein synthesis

Answer 5

• transcription

the base sequence of the gene is copied into a complementary template molecule (mRNA)

the mRNA now passes out of the nucleus into the cytoplasm

• translation

the mRNA molecule attaches to a ribosome

amino acids are brought to ribosomes on transfer RNA (carrier molecules)

the ribosome now reads the triplet of bases on the mRNA and uses this to join together the correct amino acids in the correct order

once the protein chain is complete it folds into it’s unique shape