RNA & PROTEINS

RNA structure and synthesis

• RNA: RIBONUCLEIC ACID
• Is very similar to DNA
– made up of nucleotides

• Difference between RNA and DNA:

1. Each nucleotide contains a different sugar:
RIBOSE instead of deoxyribose.
2. Bases are A, G, C, and U (URACIL)
A pairs with U; G pairs with C
 RNA
3. RNA is single stranded
 Protein Synthesis
transcription
translation
DNA
RNA
Proteins
• 3 different RNA molecules involved in protein synthesis:
– mRNA (messenger RNA) - made when DNA is
transcribed into RNA
– rRNA (ribosomal RNA) - RNA found in ribosomes
– tRNA (transfer RNA) - reads the mRNA during
translation, translates it into amino acids (which make up
proteins)
Why is Protein Important?
 What are proteins made of?
•Proteins are
biomolecules composed
of amino acids

•Different proteins are

made by combining
these amino acids in
different combinations
 PROTEIN SYNTHESIS
• 1 step: Transcription
occurs in the nucleus; RNA made
• 2 step: Translation
occurs in the cytoplasm; protein made
 st
1 step
Transcription: DNA 🡪 RNA
•Transcription occurs in the nucleus
• mRNA (messenger RNA) is formed by the enzyme RNA
polymerase by base pairing with the parent strand of DNA. This
begins transcription.

• mRNA carries the message about what type of protein to

make from the DNA in the nucleus to the ribosome
 Transcription Practice

DNA = A-T-C-T-G-T-T-A
RNA = ?
 The Genetic Code
• Each 3 consecutive bases on the mRNA is a code word,
CODON, that specifies an amino acid.
 nd
2 step
Translation: RNA 🡪 Protein
• Translation: Making protein from amino acids,
according to the sequences of the bases in
mRNA.
• Occurs at the ribosome, in cytoplasm of cell
• Ribosomal RNA, rRNA, is needed for protein
synthesis – it makes up the ribosome
• tRNA, brings amino acids to the ribosome to be
assembled into proteins.
 Translation
• Ribosomes are the sites of protein synthesis
 Transfer RNA (tRNA)
• Transport molecule
that carries specific
amino acid to a
ribosome

• Each tRNA recognizes

the correct codon on
the mRNA molecule
 Steps in Translation
1. mRNA leaves the nucleus and migrates to and binds
to the ribosome
2. Based on the codons on mRNA, tRNA brings amino
acids to the ribosome.
3. The amino acids bond to the adjoining amino acids to
form a protein
 Translation

• Occurs in the cytoplasm of the cell

Codon Chart
If the mRNA has the codon TTA,
what is the amino acid that tRNA
brings?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gG7uCsk
UOrA