PROTEIN SYNTHESIS

Tr a n s l a t i o n a n d Tr a n s c r i p t i o n
 TABLE OF CONTENTS
The Central Dogma

Exploring Transcription Protein Synthesis

& Translation

Review of DNA
Summary
Replication
REVIEW

What does DNA stand for?

What is the role of DNA in inheritance?
How does DNA differ from RNA?
REVIEW
If the DNA strand below is replicated, what will be
the nucleotide sequence of the complementary
strand?
ACGCTAGGTAAAGACTTC
TGCGATCCATTTCTGAAG
 TABLE OF CONTENTS
The Central Dogma

Exploring Transcription Protein Synthesis

& Translation

Review of DNA
Summary
Replication
Guide Questions:
• Why do fireflies glow?
• How does a firefly’s tail make light?
 TABLE OF CONTENTS
The Central Dogma

Exploring Transcription Protein Synthesis

& Translation

Review of DNA
Summary
Replication
Guide Questions:
• What is the protein that makes
fireflies glow?
• How is the protein made?
• What processes are involved?
THE CENTRAL DOGMA
DNA Replication, Transcription, and Translation
 THE CENTRAL DOGMA
describes the basic process of how DNA sequences are
used to create proteins (protein synthesis)
 TYPES OF RNA
RNA molecules are the workers for protein synthesis.

mRNA tRNA rRNA

• transfer RNA
• messenger RNA
• tRNA molecules decode the • ribosomal RNA
• created during
mRNA to create a protein during • RNA molecule that forms
transcription translation part of the ribosome
• carries genetic • Each tRNA molecule has an • Site of translation
information from the DNA anticodon, a sequence of 3 • Helps translate the mRNA
in the nucleus to the nucleotides that correspond to codons into protein
ribosome codons on the mRNA
• contains codons, • Each tRNA molecule carries an
sequences of 3 amino acid to the ribosome
nucleotides that code for (where the mRNA is decoded).
specific amino acids The amino acids are linked
during translation together during translation.
 TYPES OF RNA

mRNA tRNA rRNA

(messenger RNA) (transfer RNA) (ribosomal RNA)
THE CENTRAL DOGMA
 DNA REPLICATION

In replication, DNA is copied as DNA is used to make

more DNA. This occurs in the nucleus.

TRANSCRIPTION
During transcription, DNA is used to create mRNA. The
mRNA can then carry the genetic information out of the
nucleus to the ribosome.

TRANSLATION

During translation, the mRNA code is “read” by tRNA

anticodons. Amino acids carried by the tRNA are then linked
by polypeptide bonds at the ribosome (rRNA). The amino
acid chain then folds into a protein.
TRANSCRIPTION
(DNA to mRNA)
T R A NSC R I PT I O N
 DNA REPLICATION

In replication, DNA is copied as DNA is used to make

more DNA. This occurs in the nucleus.

TRANSCRIPTION
During transcription, DNA is used to create mRNA. The
mRNA can then carry the genetic information out of the
nucleus to the ribosome.

TRANSLATION

During translation, the mRNA code is “read” by tRNA

anticodons. Amino acids carried by the tRNA are then linked
by polypeptide bonds at the ribosome (rRNA). The amino
acid chain then folds into a protein.
 TRANSCRIPTION
(DNA to mRNA)
Initiation
RNA polymerase enzyme binds and opens the DNA
molecule.

Elongation
RNA polymerase slides along the DNA strand and links free
RNA nucleotides with the nitrogenous bases of the
complementary DNA strand.

Termination
When the process of base pairing is completed, the mRNA
breaks away, leaves the nucleus and goes to the cytoplasm.
CHECKPOINT!
• Where does transcription happen?
• What are the three steps in transcription?
• What nitrogenous base stands in for thymine in RNA?
• What is the end-product of transcription?
TRANSLATION
(mRNA to protein)
T R A NS L AT I O N
 TRANSLATION
(mRNA to protein)

Initiation
• mRNA binds to a ribosome.
• tRNA molecules carrying a specific amino acid.
• tRNA anticodon pairs with mRNA start codon (AUG)
• Ribosome unit slides along the mRNA to the next
codon
TRANSLATION

Elongation
• a new tRNA molecule with a complementary
anticodon carrying an amino acid attaches on
the A-site
• a peptide bond forms between the amino acid in
the P-site with that in the A-site
• the complex slides one codon to the right; the
uncharged tRNA molecule exits from the E-site
 TRANSLATION

Termination
• elongation will continue until a stop codon is
reached.
• a Release factor will bind in the A-site at the
stop codon
• the polypeptide will be released by the tRNA
in the P-site
CHECKPOINT!
• Where does translation happen?
• What RNA molecules are involved in translation?
• What is a codon?
• What is the start codon? the stop codons?
• What is the end-product of translation?
Once upon a time there were two fraternal twin brothers: Donald N.
Armstrong and Ronald N. Armstrong. Donald was the smarter of the two,
and he was a successful inventor with many patents. Although Ronald was
not as smart as his brother, he was extremely loyal. One day Donald came
up with an idea for a solar powered car. Given the ever-present possibility
of energy shortage, an efficient solar powered car would be in great
demand. However, Donald really didn’t want to leave his comfortable
estate. He certainly couldn’t take a chance by using e-mail or a fax to
send his plans to the factory. They might be stolen by industrial spies!
Donald knows his loyal brother would do anything for him, so he asks him
to be a messenger and carry the plans to the factory. At the factory, the
assembly line is set up and factory workers bring the parts to assemble the
prototype. The car proves to be enormously successful. The Armstrong
brothers buy an even bigger estate and live happily ever after!
SUGAR

SUMMARY
• Protein Synthesis is the process by
which proteins are made from amino
acids.
P
• Transcription is the transfer of information
from the DNA to the messenger RNA, occurs
in the nucleus.
• Translation is the process by which a sequence of
nucleic acids in RNA is used to direct the
production of a chain of specific amino acids,
occur in the cytoplasm.
 TABLE OF CONTENTS
The Central Dogma

Exploring Transcription Protein Synthesis

& Translation

Review of DNA
Summary
Replication
EXERCISE
DNA Replication:
Build the complementary DNA strand.

A C G C T A G G T A A A G A C T T C
T G C G A T C C A T T T C T G A A G
Transcription:
Build the corresponding mRNA strand.

A C G C T A G G T A A A G A C T T C
U G C G A U C C A U U U C U G A A G
Translation:
Anticodons on tRNA molecules bond to the codons on the
mRNA. Circle the mRNA codons, and write the sequences for
the anticodons.

U G C G A U C C A U U U C U G A A G
A C G C U A G G U A A A G A C U U C
Translation:
U G C G A U C C A U U U C U G A A G

A C G C U A G G U A A A G A C U U C

When building the amino acid chain, do you read the

mRNA codons or tRNA anticodons?
Use CODON chart, so read the mRNA codons.
Translation:
Amino acids carried by tRNA molecules bond together as the
codons on the mRNA are translated. Use the codon chart to
write the amino acid chain.

U G C G A U C C A U U U C U G A A G
Translation:
Amino acids carried by tRNA molecules bond together as the
codons on the mRNA are translated. Use the codon chart to
write the amino acid chain.

U G C G A U C C A U U U C U G A A G
Cys Asp Pro Phe Leu Lys
EVALUATION
 ACTIVITY
Each group is given a sequence of DNA.

• Write the complementary RNA sequence underneath the letters

(Transcription)
33
• Use the codon chart to determine the amino acid sequence (Translation)
• Using the chart, determine the traits that your organism possesses.
(Gene Expression)
• Draw your organism on the paper provided.
• Share your work to the class.
 RUBRIC
All aspects of the project should be complete and accurate.

___ / 10 Transcription
___ / 10 Translation
___ / 10 Organism Drawing
___ / 10 Presentation

____/ 40 TOTAL
FEEDBACK
 GROUP 1
DNA → T A C C A T G G A A G T A C T

RNA → AUG GUA CCU UCA UGA

Amino Acids →
RNA :
AUG GUA CCU UCA UGA

Amino Acids :
Met Val Pro Ser (Stop)
RNA : AUG GUA CCU UCA UGA

Amino Acids : Met Val Pro Ser (Stop)

Traits: Wings Stripes Swims Antlers

 GROUP 2
DNA → T T C A A T G G T C T A G G G

RNA → A A G U U A C C A G A U C C C

Amino Acids →
RNA :
AAG UUA CCA GAU CCC

Amino Acids :
Lys Leu Pro Asp Pro
RNA : AAG UUA CCA GAU CCC

Amino Acids : Lys Leu Pro Asp Pro

Traits: Claws Tail Swims Mane Swims

 GROUP 2
DNA → A C A T T T CAG ACC GTC

RNA → U G U A A A G U C U G G C A G

Amino Acids →
RNA :

UGU AAA GUC UGG CAG

Amino Acids :

Cys Lys Val Trp Gln

RNA : UGU AAA GUC UGG CAG
Amino Acids : Cys Lys Val Trp Gln
Traits: Pouch Claws Stripes Beak Round Eye
PROTEIN SYNTHESIS
Tr a n s l a t i o n a n d Tr a n s c r i p t i o n