Protein Synthesis Flashcards
Relationship between specific genes and the associated proteins.
A specific gene codes for a specific protein. In protein synthesis, the protein produced is determined by the codons on the mRNA which is determined by the gene ( section of DNA) which carries the important info.
Protein Synthesis
The production of proteins needed for a cell to carry out other life processes. There are 2 main processes which are Transcription and Translation.
Transcription
Transcription is the process where the double helix structure of DNA unwinds at the hydrogen bonds between the nitrogen bases by the enzyme helicase
Complementary base pair-rule and its importance in Protein Synthesis
The DNA complementary base-pairing rule states that the nitrogen bases Adenine (A) and Thymine (T) will bond together whilst Cytosine (C) and Guanine (G) bases pair together by weak hydrogen bonds. This only applies to DNA. In Protein Synthesis which is the production of proteins, mRNA is made using the template DNA strand. A section of DNA, a gene is unwinded/ unzips at the hydrogen bonds between the nitrogen bases in the double-helix structure by the Helicase enzyme. This exposes the 2 strands of DNA, and the strand containing the information needed to make/ code for a protein (called the template strand) exposes the bases to free nucleotides and nitrogen bases. This is where there is a difference in the complementary base pair rule to form mRNA ( messenger RNA). The free nitrogen bases pair to their complementary base with the aid of RNA Polymerase enzyme in the following pairs. Guanine ( G) pairs with Cytosine ( C), whilst Adenine (A) pairs with Uracil (U) instead of Thymine (T). This is important in Protein synthesis as the mRNA strand needs to be formed and transferred to thee cytoplasm and in a ribosome in order for Protein synthesis to occur. As if there is an error in the mRNA or a mutation in the mRNA, this could lead to a dysfunctional enzyme or protein being produced.
