Transcription and Translation Flashcards
Describe the process of transcription
The region of DNA carrying the gene unwinds and unzips and the 2 DNA strands are separated.
One of the DNA strands called the template is used to make the mRNA, which has a complementary base sequence to the template strand.
mRNA leaves the nucleus through the nuclear pore.
Describe the process of translation
The mRNA attaches to a ribosome.
The ribosome translates the message in mRNA into a sequence of amino acids joined together to form a polypeptide.
Each tRNA molecule is attached to an amino acid. A matching tRNA molecule with a complementary anticodon to the codon of the mRNA binds to the mRNA. The existing polypeptide is linked to the amino acid attached to the tRNA via peptide bonds.
As the ribosomes move along the mRNA, the polypeptide produced gets longer as more amino acids are joined together by peptide bonds.
At the end of the mRNA strand, the ribosome detaches from the mRNA, and the polypeptide is released.
State the differences between DNA and RNA
- Sugar Unit: Deoxyribose vs Ribose
- Bases: Thymine vs Uracil
3: Strands: Double vs Single - Ratio: 1:1 vs no fixed ratio
- Permanence: Permanent vs Temporary
