protein synthesis Flashcards
3.18B
what 2 stages does protein synthesis occur in?
translation and transcription
what is transcription?
DNA is transcribed and an mRNA molecule is produced
where does transcription occur in?
the nucleus of the cell
what is the role of transcription?
produce an mRNA copy of a gene
what is the first stage of transcription?
1) the two strands of the DNA helix are unzipped by breaking the weak hydrogen bonds between complementary base pairs
what is the unwinding of the helix caused by?
an enzyme (helicase)
what does the unwinding of the helix cause? (the second stage)
this exposes the template strand of the gene that codes for the protein being synthesised
what does the enzyme RNA polymerase attach to? (second stage)
attaches to the DNA just before the gene
what do the mRNA nucleotides do (3rd stage)?
free mRNA nucleotides that are present in the nucleus bind to and form hydrogen bonds with exposed complementary nucleotides on the template strand by complementary base pairing
4th step of transcription?
RNA polymerase then catalyses the formation of covalent bonds between the RNA nucleotides to form a strand of mRNA
what bases do RNA nucleotides contain?
the same as DNA, except the T is replaced by U- U base pairs with A
why is mRNA a complementary copy?
because the opposite base bonds with the exposed DNA bases, the strand of mRNA is an opposite copy of the DNA strand (except that U replaces T)
where does the newly formed strand of mRNA leave via?
leaves the nucleus via a pore in the nuclear envelope and travels to the ribosomes
what does DNA contain?
the information to make a protein
what code for a specific amino acid?
three bases (a codon)