DNA and RNA ; Synthesis Amino Acid

DNA

replication

transcription translation

DNA mRNA Protein

Central Dogma
 Expression and transfer of genetic information:
Replication:
Process by which DNA is copied with very high fidelity.

Transcription:
Process by which the DNA genetic code is read and transferred to
messenger RNA (mRNA). This is an intermediate step in protein
expression

Translation:
The process by which the genetic code is converted to a protein, the
end product of gene expression.

The DNA sequence codes for the mRNA sequence, which codes for the
protein sequence
1. Replication
 1. Replication ; semiconservative

DNA replication is semi-conservative: Each new strand of DNA

contains one parental (old, template) strand and one daughter
(newly synthesized) strand.

Topoisomerase: Enzyme that unknots and uncoils DNA

Helicase: Protein that unwinds the DNA double helix.

DNA polymerase: Enzyme that replicates DNA using each strand as

a template for the newly synthesized strand.

DNA ligase: enzyme that catalyzes the formation of the

phosphodiester bond between pieces of DNA.
DNA replication
 2. Transcription
Types of RNA:
Messenger RNA (mRNA) – template for protein synthesis (“translation”)
Transfer RNA (mRNA) – transports amino acids in activated form to the
ribosome for protein synthesis.
Ribosomal RNA (rRNA) – Major component of ribosomes, playing a catalytic
and structural role in protein synthesis.
3. Translation; synthesis protein
 Stage 1. mRNA is
transcribed from a
DNA template.

Stage 2 Each amino

acid attaches to its
proper tRNA with the
help of a specific
enzyme and ATP.

Stage 3 Initiation
of polypeptide
synthesis
The mRNA, the first
tRNA, and the
ribosomal subunits
come together.
Protein Synthesis Summary
 When things go wrong…
 Mutations: changes in the DNA sequence, that may be
passed along to future generations.
 Point mutations: a single base substitution
THE CAT SAW THE RAT
THE CAT SAW THE HAT
 Deletion: a small DNA segment is lost

 Insertion: a segment of DNA is added

 Frame-shift mutation: modification of the reading

frame after a deletion or insertion, resulting in all
codons downstreams being different.