Protein Synthesis

ADA School
Biology Department
Objectives

● Identify the steps of protein synthesis;

● Define transcription as a first step of protein synthesis involving the
creation of mRNA from DNA by RNA Polymerase;
● Define translation as the second step of protein synthesis through which
the protein synthesis occurs;
● Compare and contrast transcription and translation in terms of RNA types
and enzymes.
● Know that the translation of DNA into the amino acid sequence happens
in accordance with the Genetic Code.
Why do we need genes?

● Genes contain the data

needed to build and
maintain cells and pass
genetic information to
offspring.
● The data in genes is a
“code” for proteins
Why do we need proteins?
How do we create proteins?
Transcription step by step
RNA Polymerase unwinds DNA RNA polymerase synthesizes mRNA
using the complementary RNA bases
 +
RNA
polymerase

RNA polymerase 3’ 5’
binds to DNA
and unwinds it.
 Template
strand
RNA
3’ polym 5’
erase

RNA polymerase
attracts free RNA
RNA poly
meras
nucleotides and e
synthesizes 3’ 5’
mRNA
 RNA
polyme
rase
3’ 5’

5 3
’ ’
mRNA strand is
synthesized in
5’ to 3’ A T C
RNA
direction only 3’ polym
5’
erase
and is
complementary
to the template U A G
3’
strand

T A G
 Transcription overview

● DNA is unzipped by the enzyme RNA

polymerase and the two strands uncoil
and separate.
● Free nucleotides move into place along
one of the two strands.
● The same enzyme, RNA polymerase,
assembles the free nucleotides in the
correct places using complementary base
pairing. As the RNA nucleotides are
linked together, a single strand of mRNA
is formed.
Translation

Carried out in the

cytoplasm by ribosomes and
molecules of another type
of RNA known as transfer
RNA or tRNA.
The structure of the tRNA

1. tRNA molecule has a clover leaf-shape.

2. Each tRNA has its corresponding amino acid attached to its end. (Remember that there are
about 20 different types of amino acids in a living cell).
3. An amino acid binds to a site of the tRNA molecule which is opposite the location of the
anticodon.
 Translation

● Ribosome binds to mRNA and draws in

specific tRNA molecules with anticodons
that match the mRNA codons.
● The anticodon of the tRNA binds to the
complementary codon of the mRNA
molecule with hydrogen bonds.
● When 2 tRNA molecules are in place on
the ribosome, a peptide bond forms
between the two amino acids they carry
to form a dipeptide. The ribosome moves
along the mRNA one triplet to the next
codon.
How does translation occur?

● mRNA is a sequence of nucleotides, while a protein,

● which is made on the mRNA, consists of amino acids.
● So, how is “the language of nucleotides” is translated
● into “the language of amino acids”?
● There is a specific type of “dictionary”,
● namely, the Genetic code, which is a table of codons
● with the corresponding amino acids.

● Do not need to memorize this table!

The process of translation has:

● A START signal – an AUG codon at the initiation site

And
● STOP signals – either UAA, UAG or UGA – at which the process terminates.

UAA UAG UGA

AUG
Practice questions

● Below is a base sequence from part of the template strand of a DNA molecule.

TAC CTC GGT CAT CCC ATT

1. How many amino acids are coded for by this base sequence?
2. The sequence was transcribed to form mRNA. Write down the base sequence of the mRNA
formed.
3. Use the Genetic Code table from slide 13 to write down the sequence of amino acids produced
on this mRNA.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gG7uCskUOrA
Practice questions

New RNA nucleotides are joined and mRNA is

synthesized by?
a) RNA polymerase
b) DNA polymerase
c)mRNA synthetase
d)helicase
PQ

mRNA is synthesized in 3’ to 5’ direction.

FALSE
PQ

What would be the sequence of mRNA being transcribed on a following

DNA sequence?

ATCTTGCTTCAA

a) TAGAACGAAGTT
b) UAGTTCGTTCUU
c) UAGAACGAAGUU
d) TAGAACGATCTTT
PQ

What sequence is mandatory for the anticodon to join the codon with the
following sequence (AUC)?

a) UAG
b) UAC
c) TAG
d) TAC
PQ

The “big goal” of the transcription is to create

a) Proteins
b) Amino acids
c) mRNA
d) Ribosomes
PQ

Protein synthesis involves which two processes?

a) Transcription and translation

b) DNA replication and transcription
c) DNA replication and translation
d) Transcription and protein synthesis
PQ

Transcription occurs in which part of the cell?

a) Ribosomes
b) Nucleus
c) Cytoplasm
d) Golgi Complex
PQ
PQ
Well done!
Terminology
● mRNA (messenger RNA)
● tRNA (transport RNA)
● Ribosome
● Transcription
● Translation
● Codon
● Anticodon
● RNA Polymerase
● Genetic code
Reading materials
Brenda Walpole, Biology for the IB Diploma, Second edition, pg 75-76.