PROTEIN SYNTHESIS: READING THE CODE

DNA is in your genes, and it tells your cells how to make proteins. The instructions for making
proteins are coded for in the sequence of nitrogenous bases in DNA. Within the nucleus, these
instructions are transcribed into another type of nucleic acid called RNA in a process called
TRANSCRIPTION. This RNA copy then moves to a ribosome in the cytoplasm where the genetic
message is translated. TRANSLATION is the process of forming a protein from RNA.

INTRODUCING RNA

Like DNA, RNA is a type of nucleic acid and is made up of nucleotides. However, its nucleotides
are different from those of DNA. RNA contains the sugar RIBOSE (instead of deoxyribose), and
URACIL (instead of thymine) is one of its nitrogenous bases. It is also shorter and single-stranded.

Another difference is that the triplet code in mRNA is referred to as a codon. The complementary
mRNA codon for the start triplet TAC in DNA, for example, would be AUG.

TRANSCRIPTION

The first step in making a protein involves the unzipping of the gene’s DNA. When the relevant part
of the DNA stand is exposed, a special copy of the sequence is produced in the form of messenger
RNA (mRNA). The process of making this complementary mRNA copy of the DNA message is
called transcription.

As its name suggests, messenger RNA (mRNA) passes through the pores of the nuclear
membrane into the cytoplasm to take its genetic copy of the protein instruction message to
ribosomes. These may be free floating or attached to the rough endoplasmic reticulum. Ribosomes
are where RNA is translated into protein. This process is called protein synthesis. Protein synthesis
is very important to cells, therefore large numbers of ribosomes are found in cells. Ribosomes float
freely in the cytoplasm, and are also bound to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Rough ER is found
throughout the cell but the density is higher near the nucleus. Ribosomes on the rough
endoplasmic reticulum are called 'membrane bound' and are responsible for the assembly of many
proteins.
PROTEIN SYNTHESIS: READING THE CODE
 PROTEIN SYNTHESIS: READING THE CODE

TRANSLATION

Once the mRNA has reached the ribosome, its message needs to be translated into a protein. The
ribosome and another type of molecule called transfer RNA (tRNA) are involved in this process.
tRNA collects and transfers the appropriate amino acid to its matching code on the mRNA. These
amino acids are joined together by peptide bonds to make a protein.

PRECIOUS PROTEINS

Why are proteins so important? Proteins form parts of cells, regulate many cell activities and even
help defend against disease. Your heart muscle tissue contains special proteins that can contract,
enabling blood containing haemoglobin and hormones to be pumped through your body.
Haemoglobin is a protein that carries oxygen necessary for cellular respiration. Many hormones
are proteins. Insulin, glucagon and adrenaline, for example, are hormones that influence activities
of your cells. Enzymes are also made up of protein and can be involved in regulating metabolic
activities such as those in chemical digestion and respiration. Antibodies are examples of proteins
that play a key role in your immune system in its defence against disease. Plants also rely on
 PROTEIN SYNTHESIS: READING THE CODE

proteins for their survival. Their growth and many other essential activities are regulated by
hormones and enzymes.

SWITCHED ON OR OFF?

Different genes are responsible for different characteristics, such as the colour of flower petals, the
markings on a snail shell, or a person’s blood group or eye colour. Every body cell in an organism
has the same set of genes called a GENOME, but not all genes are active. Some have to be
switched off at different stages in the life of a cell. This is why hairs do not grow on the stomach
lining and cheek cells do not grow on toenails.

QUESTIONS

1. What role does RNA play in the conversion of DNA information into protein?

It transfers the genetic code to the ribosomes in which RNA also translates the codons into amino
acids

to synthesis protein, first the DNA double helix unwinds and one strand acts as a pattern or
template to form a molecule of RNA. Unlike DNA, RNA can leave then nucleus and attach to a
ribosome in the cytoplasm, the RNA tells the ribosome to make a protein

2. What is the difference between transcription and translation?

Transcription is the copying of a DNA strand, translation is the conversion of the genetic code into
amino acids to make proteins

The process of making an RNA copy from a DNA strand is called transcription. The process of
forming a protein form RNA is called translation

3. What would be the RNA sequence for the template DNA sequence GTTAGCCAGT?

CAAUCGGUCA

4. The table below shows the DNA triplets and corresponding mRNA codon and amino acid that
corresponds to the codon.

For the DNA code below, suggest the (a) corresponding mRNA strand and (b) amino acids it codes
for.
 PROTEIN SYNTHESIS: READING THE CODE

TAC CAT CGG CCA ATG ACG CGG CGG ATT

AUG GUA GCC GGU UAC UGC GCC GCC UAA

Met, val, ala, gly, tyr, cys, ala, ala, stop