IB Biology

 rRNA: ribosomal RNA

 Major component of ribosomes
 tRNA: transfer RNA
 Carries amino acids to mRNA
 An interpreter in translation
 mRNA: messenger RNA
 Encodes genetic info from DNA and convey it to the
ribosomes, where the info is translated into amino acid
sequences
 The process by which RNA is
made from a DNA template
 Purpose: to read the DNA, one
gene at a time.
 RNA polymerase starts
transcription at promoters and
end at terminators
 Complimentary RNA strand is
formed
 RNA is assembled in the 5’ 3’
direction
 Bubbles open- instead of
unzipping
 DNA gives instructions.
 The instructions are
written in a language
where words are ALWAYS
three base pairs long.

 Ex: AAT,CCG,GCA,TTC,
etc.
 Each is called a triplet.
 Codon- genetic code
made of one triplet of
bases.
 Codons are found on
mRNA (messenger RNA)
 Creates a “mirror
image” of the triplets
found on DNA (except
TU)
 mRNA then travels out
of the nucleus and toward
a ribosome.
 The formation of RNA is
called transcription
 Links together the
growing chain of RNA
nucleotides during
transcription
 Uses DNA as template

 Similar to DNA
polymerase but only
facilitates a reaction on one
side of the strand
 Promoter- place on gene where RNA polymerase
initially attaches.
 Terminator- place on gene where transcription ends.
 Transcription - beginning
 Middle = mRNA processing
 Translation - end
 Post-transcriptional

 Introns- non-coding
sequences are removed

 Exons- coding sequences

are spliced together
 Sense strand - the “other”
strand, not transcribed.

 Antisense strand - the one

mRNA attaches to, and is
complimentary to.

 mRNA is similar to the sense

strand, except TU.
 The same codons are found in all living
organisms.