Protein Synthesis: Translation
DNA’s biggest process is protein synthesis. This is how the growth and repair of our body occurs. DNA provides a template upon which proteins are coded for. There is some slightly confusing terminology in this section.
Table of Contents
Protein synthesis is the process by which the base sequence found in genes on DNA is used to make polypeptides.
Protein synthesis occurs in two major phases:
- Transcription – during which a strand of mRNA is synthesised from a particular gene template.
- Translation – during which the mRNA attaches to the ribosome, which recruits tRNAs carrying amino acids in order to make a polypeptide.
RNA
RNA is ribonucleic acid – it is similar to DNA but it is single stranded and contains uracil instead of thymine.
An important part of protein synthesis is that the DNA stays in the nucleus. Now if the DNA stays in the nucleus, how does it reach the organelles to allow protein synthesis to occur?
Transcription
- The DNA molecule is unzipped around the gene. DNA is a double stranded molecule so it needs to be unzipped to expose one strand.
- RNA polymerase helps make a copy of DNA as mRNA. RNA polymerase binds to the non-coding region in front of a gene on one of the DNA strands and uses free nucleotides to produce a complementary mRNA (messenger RNA) strand of the coding part of the gene. The copying of the DNA is known as transcription.
Translation
- mRNA leaves the nucleus, moves into the cytoplasm and attaches to the ribosome. The ribosome is the organelle responsible for protein synthesis.
- tRNA molecules complementary to the mRNA arrive at the ribosome. When the mRNA moves to the ribosome, it recruits tRNA (transfer RNA structures) that are complementary to the base sequence of the mRNA. The tRNA has an anti-codon that is complementary to the mRNA’s codon (sequence of 3 bases).
- The tRNA molecule carry amino acids with it. The bases on the mRNA are read in threes and code for a specific amino acid (the triplet code). The amino acids then bond with another and polypeptides are formed. This is translation.
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DNA Base Order and Protein Structure
This therefore means that the order of the bases in the DNA determines what amino acids are recruited and what polypeptides are made. Therefore, the structure of the DNA influences what protein is made.
Protein Shape and Enzymes
Once these protein chains are formed, they are folded in a few ways, so each protein has its own unique shape for example, enzymes, antibodies, receptors, neurotransmitters etc. The unique shape is imperative for enzymes, as they have their own individual active sites. These active sites must be individual to each enzyme as they must have a complementary shape to their substrate, to ensure the functionality of the enzyme.
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Gene Expression and Proteins
The expression of proteins can be altered by switching genes on and off. Now how does this occur?
- DNA is separated into coding and non-coding DNA. The DNA that is coding is what directly determines the proteins formed as a copy of it is made. Non-coding DNA on the other hand has a different function. It works to turn on and off genes. Therefore, if it decides to turn off a section of coding DNA, the protein produced would be different. This can lead to differences in the appearance of the expression of the gene.
- As every cell contains all of the DNA in the body, genes must be switched on and off in order to stop every cell producing every protein. Therefore, different cells have different genes turned on and off
→What is DNA and what does it do?
DNA stands for deoxyribonucleic acid, and it is the blueprint that contains the instructions for building proteins in our cells. It determines our genetic makeup and helps our bodies function properly.
→What is protein synthesis and why is it important?
Protein synthesis is the process of creating proteins from the instructions in DNA. Proteins are essential for many processes in our bodies, including growth and repair, so protein synthesis is crucial for our overall health.
→What is translation in protein synthesis?
Translation is the second step of protein synthesis, where the instructions in the DNA code are translated into a protein molecule. This is done by ribosomes in the cell, using the genetic code and a molecule called messenger RNA.
→What is messenger RNA and how does it help in translation?
Messenger RNA is a molecule that carries the instructions from the DNA to the ribosomes, where it helps the ribosomes read the code and build the protein.
→What is the genetic code and how does it work in translation?
The genetic code is a set of instructions that tells the ribosomes which amino acids to use to build a protein. It is made up of codons, which are sequences of three nucleotides (building blocks of DNA) that specify a particular amino acid. The ribosomes use this code to match the messenger RNA to the right amino acids and build the protein.
→What role do ribosomes play in translation?
Ribosomes are the “workstations” of the cell where proteins are synthesized. They use the information in the messenger RNA to build the protein, matching codons to the right amino acids and linking them together in the correct order.
→How does translation ensure the accuracy of protein synthesis?
Translation is carefully regulated to make sure that the right amino acids are used in the right order to build the protein correctly. Any mistakes in the genetic code can cause problems with the protein and potentially lead to health problems.
→Can translation go wrong?
Yes, there are several ways that translation can go wrong, such as mutations in the DNA code or problems with the ribosomes. These errors can result in the creation of non-functional or harmful proteins, which can cause health problems.
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Inheritance – Genetic Diagrams (GCSE Biology)
Inheritance – Genes and Inheritance (GCSE Biology)
Asexual and Sexual Reproduction – Sexual Reproduction: Pros and Cons (GCSE Biology)
Asexual and Sexual Reproduction – Asexual Reproduction: Pros and Cons (GCSE Biology)
Asexual and Sexual Reproduction – (GCSE Biology)
DNA – An Introduction (GCSE Biology)
OCR B5.2 Natural selection and evolution
REARRANGED ORDER – Mainatining Bioversity (GCSE Biology)
Classification – (GCSE Biology)
Fossils & Extinction – Extinctinction (GCSE Biology)
Fossils & Extinction – Evidence for Evolution: Fossils (GCSE Biology)
Fossils & Extinction – Fossil Formation (GCSE Biology)
Development and Understanding of Evolution – Evidence for Evolution: Resistant Bacteria (GCSE Biology)
Development and Understanding of Evolution – Theory of Speciation (GCSE Biology)
Development and Understanding of Evolution – Theory of Evolution: Darwin and Lamarck (GCSE Biology)
Variation – Evolution and Natural Selection (GCSE Biology)
Variation – Variation and Its Causes (GCSE Biology)
OCR B6.1 Monitoring and maintaining the environment
REARRANGED ORDER – Mainatining Bioversity (GCSE Biology)
REARRANGED ORDER – Deforestation (GCSE Biology)
REARRANGED ORDER – Land Use & Destruction of Peat Bogs (GCSE Biology)
REARRANGED ORDER – Pollution and Global Warming (GCSE Biology)
Biodiversity – Human Population & Increasing Waste (GCSE Biology)
Biodiversity – (GCSE Biology)
Cycles – The Impact of Environmental Change (GCSE Biology)
Organisation & Trophic Levels – Quadrat and Transect Sampling (GCSE Biology)
OCR B6.2 Feeding the human race
Biotechnology – Biotechnology & GM Foods (GCSE Biology)
Food Security – Farming Techniques (GCSE Biology)
Food Security – Food Production & Security (GCSE Biology)
Variation – Genetic Engineering (GCSE Biology)
Variation – Selective Breeding (GCSE Biology)
OCR B6.3 Monitoring and maintaining health
Variation – Genetic Engineering (GCSE Biology)
Variation – The Human Genome Project (GCSE Biology)
Plant Disease & Defence – Plant Diseases and Deficiencies (GCSE Biology)
Plant Disease & Defence – Chemical and Mechanical Plant Defences – (GCSE Biology)
Plant Disease & Defence – Physical Plant Defences (GCSE Biology)
Plant Disease & Defence – Identifying Plant Diseases (GCSE Biology)
Antibiotics – Monoclonal Antibodies in Disease Treatment and Research (GCSE Biology)
Antibiotics – Monoclonal Antibodies in Pregnancy Tests (GCSE Biology)
Antibiotics – Producing Monoclonal Antibodies (GCSE Biology)
Antibiotics – Developing Drugs: Trials and Placebos (GCSE Biology)
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