Transcription

is the creation of a singlestranded mRNA copy of the DNA coding strand. It is the first stage of protein synthesis.

 The

gene that is to be transcribed unwinds and unzips. Hydrogen bonds between the base pairs break. RNA nucleotides bind to their complementary bases with hydrogen bonds. U-A, G-C, A-T on the template strand. 2 extra phosphoryl groups are released, which releases energy for bonding adjacent nucleotides.

 The

mRNA that is produced is complementary to the base sequence on the original (template) strand of DNA. It is therefore a copy of the base sequence o the coding strand of the length of DNA. The mRNA then is released from the DNA, passes out through a pore in the nuclear envelope, and attaches itself to a ribosome.

 The

assembly of polypeptides (also known as proteins) at ribosomes. This is the second stage of protein synthesis.

are formed using ribosomes. A proteins sequence is dictated by the sequence of codons on the nucleotide bases. A codon is a triplet of nucleotide bases. Each codon refers to an amino acid. A chain of amino acids makes a polypeptide.
Polypeptides

 Each

ribosomes is made up of 2 subunits, and there is a groove through which the mRNA can fit. The mRNA then slides through the ribosomal groove. The ribosome reads the code, and assembles the amino acids in the correct order to make a functioning protein. Very clever!

 It

forms the primary structure of the protein The primary structure denotes the tertiary structure- the primary structure has to be in the right order, or the protein wont fold up into its proper 3D shape. An enzyme with the wrong primary structure, and therefore the wrong tertiary structure, would have a mishapen active site, and so would be unable to break down the substrate it would normally break down.

 Transfer

RNA (or tRNA) is made in the nucleus and passes into the cytoplasm. This is a length of RNA that folds into a hairpin shape- at one end are 3 exposed bases where an amino acid can join, and at the other, an anticodon, which is 3 unpaired nucleotide bases that can temporarily bind to its complementary codon on the mRNA.

1) a molecule of mRNA binds to a ribosome, after leaving the nucleus. 2 codons (6 bases) are attached to the small subunit of the ribosome, and exposed to the large subunit. Think of it as if it has gone inside the small subunit of the ribosome, and the large subunit can only see what is inside the small subunit. The first mRNA codon exposed is always AUG. Thats like a code that says start. Using ATP and an enzyme, a tRNA that matches AUG, with UAC, forms hydrogen bonds with this codon. ATG (which is the same as AUG, but the DNA version rather than the RNA version), codes for an enzyme called Methionine. So methionine is the first amino acid in the chain.

 2)

A second tRNA now binds to the second exposed codon, with its complimentary anticodon. The small subunit of the ribosome only has room for 2 tRNA molecules to attach to it at any one time. This second tRNA codes for a different amino acid.

 3)

a peptide bond forms between the two amino acids as they are held next to each other by the tRNA molecules. An enzyme that is present in the ribosomal subunit catalyses this reaction. 4) The ribosome now shifts along the codon. The AUG codon is now out of view- the second codon is where the first codon was, and now a third codon appears where the second codon was. The tRNA that coded for Methionine is now free to go and collect another of its amino acids. I hope this makes sense! :)