Grade 10 – Science

Module 2 Reviewer (3rd Grading Period)

1. Mutation is any changes in the DNA sequence that causes abnormality in the human body.
2. There are 23 total pair of chromosomes in our body.
3. Translation is the conversion of messages carried by the mRNA into amino acid.
TRANSCRIPTION
4. Transcription is the first step in protein synthesis. It involves copying a gene's DNA sequence to make an RNA
molecule.
5. Transcription is performed by enzymes called RNA polymerase, which link nucleotides to form an RNA strand (using
a DNA strand as a template).
6. Transcription has three stages: initiation, elongation, and termination.
7. Transcription occurs inside the nucleus
8. The instructions in making protein is contained in your DNA (which located inside your nucleus) In your DNA, is your
GENE.
9. A gene is a string of nucleotides which includes PURINES AND PYRIMIDINES (Purines include: ADENINE and
GUANINE)(PYRIMIDINES include CYTOSINE AND THYMINE) where, ADENINE IS PAIRED WITH
THYMINE AND CYTOSINE IS PAIRED WITH GUANINE.

 UNZIP it -The Enzyme RNA polymerase binds to the promoter area of the DNA and UNZIPS the double
stranded DNA. This is the Initiation Stage.
 PAIR it - In Elongation, the RNA polymerase slides along the template of the DNA strand. As the
complimentary base pair up links nucleotides to the 3’ end of the growing RNA molecule. Once it reaches the
terminator portion of the gene, the messenger RNA transcript is complete. The RNA polymerase, the DNA
strand and the messenger RNA tracscript dissociate from each other, this is termination.
 SPLICE it - The mRNA (Messenger RNA) strand from transcription includes EXONS (Protein coding
region) and INTRONS (Non-protein coding region). In order for the messenger RNA to be used in
translation, the non-coding introns need to be removed and modifications such as 5’cap and 3’ poly-A tail are
added. This process is called intron splicing and is performed by a SPLICEOSOME. SPLICEOSOME
removes the introns segments and joins the adjacent exons to produce a mature RNA strand.
 DELIVER it - This mature mRNA strand will be delivered through the nuclear pore to the cytoplasm of the
cell and begin the TRANSLATION process.

TRANSLATION

1. The Nitrogenous bases are grouped into three letter codes called CODONS. The genetic code includes 64 codons and
codes for different AMINO ACIDS (buiding blocks of proteins)
2. There are 4 special codons: one (AUG – START CODON, where translation starts and UGA, UAG, UAA – STOP
CODONS, where translation ends)

THE PILLARS

I am the mRNA strand and with me are a small Ribosomal subunit, large ribosomal subunit which contains three
sites, the E, P, and A SITES and the great tRNA (Transfer RNA) together with his buddy the AMINO ACID.
Amino acid has a bestfriend named ANTICODON. An anticodon in the tRNA, pairs with CODON in the mRNA
strand.

THE CONSTRUCTION SITE

The building of proteins will occur in the CYTOPLASM.

THE PROCESS

1ST – The small ribosomal subunit binds to the start codon (AUG) in the mRNA strand.

2nd – The tRNA strand then binds to the area where the small ribosomal unit was attached.
3rd – The Large ribosomal subunit then binds itself to complete the TRANSLATION COMPLEX.

4th – A charged tRNA molecule together with the amino acid binds to the A site

5th – A peptide bond will be formed between each amino acids attached to the tRNA strand.

6th – The translation complex slides down one codon to the right and the uncharged tRNA will now exit to the E site and a the
A site is now ready to accept a new charged tRNA. This process will continue until the translation complex reached the stop
codon.

7th – Once the translation complex reaches the stop codon, a Release factor enter the A SITE to a STOP codon, the chain of
amino acids (polypeptide) is now released from the tRNA.

8th – Remember, that AMINO ACIDS are the building blocks of proteins. Therefore our process in building is now
COMPLETE.