Protein Synthesis

By: Tressa Parkes

The basic concept

Protein Synthesis is the biological process of each individual cell
building a protein
The process begins in the cells nucleus where enzymes unwind a
specific part of the DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) so an RNA
(ribonucleic acid) copy can be made.
The RNA copy moves to the cells cytoplasm, than ribosome, where
the process of protein synthesis takes place.

A Simple Visual

Step One: Transcription

The information in one strand of the double helix DNA is copied to a
RNA molecule. This molecule is now mRNA
Every mRNA encodes the information for a single protein
mRNA is small enough to exit the nucleus through nuclear pores
Once the mRNA leaves the nucleus through nuclear pores, it binds to
a ribosome

Step Two: Transferal

An amino acid activating enzyme attaches an amino acid to one side
of the tRNA (transfer ribonucleic acid)
On the other side of the tRNA is a codon (a specific three nucleotide
code)
This will be used when the tRNA reaches the mRNA

Step Three: Translation

A ribosome attaches to an mRNA and reads the start codon AUG
tRNA brings the corresponding amino acids to each codon
The molecule is now read, and a protein is released

A Short Summary
DNA is copied onto an mRNA strand
The mRNA strand leaves the nucleus and goes to the ribosome
A tRNA molecule brings amino acids to specific codons
Amino acids are bonded to the mRNA as it moves through the
ribosome
Amino acids joined together create a protein