Protein Synthesis

Protein Synthesis

1. Transcription

   • 1. Hydrogen bonds between the 2 DNA strands of a gene break, where the DNA uncoils
   • 2. One of the strands is used as a template (antisense) strand for RNA copy (mRNA)
     • mRNA is a single polynucleotide molecule
   • 5. Free RNA mononucleotides line up along antisense strand
   • 6. mRNA molecule formed
   • 7. mRNA moves out of nucleus and attaches to a ribosome in the cytoplasm
   • 8. DNA re-coils forming a double helix

2. Translation

   • 1. tRNA molecule carry amino acids to the ribosome with the mRNA attached
     • tRNA is a molecule made of a single polynucleotide and has a bidning site where an amino acid attaches
   • 2. tRNA molecules with amino acids are joined together by peptide bonds
   • 3. The first tRNA molecule moves away, leaving the amino acid behind, creating a chain
   • 4. This process continues until there is a stop signal on mRNA molecule
   • 5. Polypeptide chain moves away from ribosome and translation is complete