PROTEIN SYNTHESIS

FRIDAY 15 DECEMBER 2023

Starter:

-What is RNA?
- What are mRNA and tRNA?

How are these molecules similar/different

to DNA?
RNA VS DNA
WHAT IS RNA?

• Like DNA, RNA is assembled as a chain of nucleotides, but

unlike DNA it is single-stranded rather than double-
stranded.
• Uracil (U) replaces Thymine (T)
• Cellular organisms use messenger RNA(mRNA) to convey
genetic information (using the letters G, A, U, and C to
denote the bases guanine, adenine, uracil and cytosine) that
directs synthesis of specific proteins.
• Many viruses encode their genetic information using an
RNA genome.
 COMPARISON OF DNA, MRNA AND
TRNA
Feature DNA mRNA tRNA

Double/Single Double Single Single

Size Largest Variable Smaller

Shape Double helix Single helix Clover shape

Sugar Deoxyribose Ribose Ribose

Bases A, G, T, C A, G, U, C A, G, U, C

Quantity in cells Constant Varies Varies

Stability Very stable Unstable More stable

than mRNA,
less than DNA
THE BIG PICTURE: “HOW ARE
PROTEINS PRODUCED?”
Learning outcomes
 To describe the differences between DNA, RNA
and mRNA.
 To analyse the stages of transcription and
translation.
TRANSCRIPTION AND
TRANSLATION
• Transcription and translation are the two stages in
protein synthesis.
• Transcription makes a copy of the DNA called
mRNA.
• Translation is where the mRNA is read by
ribosomes to produce a protein.
• First of all we are going to look at transcription…
Task: put the stages of
transcription in the
correct order
• Complementary base pairing ensures that the order of bases on
the DNA exactly determines the order on RNA.
• The completed mRNA exits the nucleus through a pore in the
nuclear envelope into the cytoplasm.
• Transcription takes place in the nucleus where the DNA double
helix unwinds by DNA helicase and the hydrogen bonds break.
• mRNA is produced by free nucleotides in the nucleoplasm.
• This is where the second stage takes place called translation
• Once the strands are separated, the sequence on the template
strand is used to produce a mRNA molecule.
• RNA polymerase is involved in the synthesising of the mRNA with
the same base sequence as the coding strand (sense strand).
1. Transcription takes place in the nucleus where the DNA double
helix unwinds by DNA helicase and the hydrogen bonds break.
2. Once the strands are separated, the sequence on the template
strand is used to produce a mRNA molecule.
3. mRNA is produced by free nucleotides in the nucleoplasm.
4. RNA polymerase is involved in the synthesising of the mRNA
with the same base sequence as the coding strand (sense
strand).
5. Complementary base pairing ensures that the order of bases on
the DNA exactly determines the order on RNA.
6. The completed mRNA exits the nucleus through a pore in the
nuclear envelope into the cytoplasm.
7. This is where the second stage takes place called translation
EXAM QUESTION

Describe how a molecule of

mRNA is made during
transcription (4 marks)
 TRANSLATION
TRANSLATION IS THE PROCESS IN WHICH THE
MRNA IS ‘READ’ AND TRANSLATED INTO A
PROTEIN.

TRANSLATION OCCURS ON THE RIBOSOMES

THE PROCESS INVOLVES ANOTHER TYPE OF RNA

MOLECULE KNOWN AS TRANSFER RNA OR TRNA
 ROUGH E.R: WHERE PROTEINS
ARE SYNTHESISED
• Flattened sacs and
tubules encrusted
with ribosomes.
• Proteins that are
to be secreted by
the cell are
synthesised on the
rough E.R.
• They are then
passed on to the
Golgi body.
 GOLGI BODY: PACKAGES AND
MODIFIES PROTEINS

• A group of flattened fluid sacs.

• Vesicles containing newly synthesised proteins fuse with the golgi.
• The golgi processes the protein e.g. adds a carbohydrate chain =
glycoprotein.
• Vesicles containing the finished product pinch off at the end of the
golgi body.
• The contents of the vesicle are then discharged outside = Exocytosis
 The Triplet Code

Each DNA
triplet of three
bases codes for
one of the 20
amino acids.
Several triplets
can code for
the same amino
acid- it is
degenerate.
Question: Starting with mRNA,
describe how the process of
translation leads to the
production of a polypeptide. (4
marks)
 MARK SCHEME

- mRNA attaches to ribosome;

- codon on mRNA;
- binds to an anti-codon on tRNA;
- each tRNA brings a specific amino acid;
- sequence of codons/bases on mRNA determines order of amino
acids;
- formation of peptide bonds/amino acids
- Joined by condensation reactions;

4 max
EXAM QUESTIONS

Time allowed: 15 minutes

SELF-ASSESSMENT