DNA, RNA, Transcription, and

Translation (Protein Synthesis)

Standard H.B.4 The student will demonstrate an understanding of the specific mechanisms by which
characteristics or traits are transferred from one generation to the next via genes.
Conceptual Understanding
H.B.4B In order for information stored in DNA to direct cellular processes, a gene needs to be transcribed from
DNA to RNA and then must be translated by the cellular machinery into a protein or an RNA molecule. The
protein and RNA products from these processes determine cellular activities and the unique characteristics of an
individual. Modern techniques in biotechnology can manipulate DNA to solve human problems.
Performance Indicator
H.B.4B.1 Develop and use models to describe how the structure of DNA determines the structure of resulting
proteins or RNA molecules that carry out the essential functions of life.
Central Dogma
• Information flows in one direction
• DNA to RNA to protein
• Transcription is the process of
converting DNA to RNA
• Translation is the process of
interpreting RNA into a string of amino
acids (protein)
RNA Review
• similar to DNA except
• RNA is single-stranded
• contains the base Uracil instead of
Thymine
• contains the sugar ribose instead of
deoxyribose
• RNA is a temporary copy of DNA
that is used and then destroyed
 Protein Synthesis in a Nut Shell
• When a particular protein is needed, the cell must make the
protein through the process of transcription and translation
(protein synthesis).
• DNA molecules (which contain the code) do not leave the nucleus of the
cell.
• Protein synthesis occurs on ribosomes located outside of the nucleus.
• Therefore, the code must be carried from the nucleus to the cytoplasm.
 Protein Synthesis: Process 1: Transcription

• Transcription is the process by which a portion of the molecule of

DNA is copied into a complementary strand of RNA.
• Don’t forget the base pairing rules!
• DNA  RNA
• A U
• G C
• C G
• T A
 Protein Synthesis: Process 1: Transcription

• The process of transcription takes

place as follows:
• 1. An enzyme (helicase) attaches to
the DNA molecule at the gene of
interest.
 Protein Synthesis: Process 1: Transcription

• 2. The two strands of DNA separate

at that location.
 Protein Synthesis: Process 1: Transcription

• 3. Complementary RNA nucleotides bond to the nitrogenous bases on one

of the separated DNA strands.
• The enzyme, RNA polymerase, assists
 Protein Synthesis: Process 1: Transcription

• 4. The chain of RNA nucleotides forms a single-stranded molecule of RNA

by using the DNA strand as a template.
 Protein Synthesis: Process 1: Transcription

• 5. When a stop codon is reached,

the RNA strand separates from
the DNA molecule, leaves the
nucleus and goes through the
nuclear membrane into the
cytoplasm.
 Protein Synthesis: Process 1: Transcription

• 6. The two DNA strands rejoin.

• mRNA strand leaves the nucleus and goes
through the nuclear membrane into the
cytoplasm.
Types of RNA
• 3 types of RNA are made during transcription
1. Messenger RNA (mRNA) – will be translated into a protein

2. Ribosomal RNA (rRNA) – forms part of a ribosome

3. Transfer RNA (tRNA) – brings amino acids from the cytoplasm to

the ribosome to help make a protein
Checking for Understanding: Transcribe DNA
to RNA
ATA GAC TTG CTT AAA GGC CTA AAT CCA
UAU CUG AAC GAA UUU CCG GAU UUA GGU
Animation: Transcription
Translation & Triplet Code
• Translation is the process by which the
genetic message, carried by the mRNA, is
used to assemble a protein.
• Every 3 nucleotide sequences is called a
codon
• Codons will code for a specific amino acid
• For example, if the DNA sequence was GAC,
then the RNA sequence becomes CUG
(transcription) and the amino acid that is
coded is Leucine
Start and Stop Codons
• start codon – signals the start of
translation with the amino acid
methionine (AUG)

• stop codon – signals the ending of

translation
• 3 stop codons (UAA, UAG and UGA)
 Protein Synthesis: Process 2: Translation
• The process of translation takes place as follows:
• 1. The mRNA attaches to a ribosome, which contains proteins
and ribosomal RNA (rRNA).
• The function of ribosomes is to assemble proteins according to the
genetic message
 Protein Synthesis: Process 2: Translation
• 2. transfer RNA (tRNA), brings
amino acids to the ribosome in the
order specified by the codon
sequence on the mRNA
 Protein Synthesis: Process 2: Translation

• 3. When another tRNA

drops off its amino acid, the
first tRNA will disconnect
and can go pick up another
amino acid
Protein Synthesis: Process 2: Translation

• 4. Ribosome forms a peptide

bond between the amino acids
• Sequence is repeated until the
ribosome reaches a stop codon
• This creates a polypeptide or
protein
How does tRNA pick up the amino acid?
• tRNA has an anticodon, a region that
consists of three nucleotide bases
that are complementary to the codon
of mRNA, at one end.
• tRNA goes to the cytoplasm and
picks up the amino acid that the
mRNA codes for.
• The other end of the tRNA molecule binds to
the specific amino acid that is determined by
the mRNA codon
Animation: How Translation Works
 Check for Understanding
• Transcribe DNA to RNA
• DNA STRAND: ATA GAC TTG CTT AAA GGC CTA AAT CCA
• RNA STRAND:

• Translate RNA to the AntiCodons

• AntiCodons:
• Amino Acids: