DNA -> RNA -> Proteins

1. DNA -> RNA -> Proteins The basic language of all living things.

2. A Gene • A gene is a section of DNA that codes for a specific protein • Only a very small percentage of our DNA (perhaps 1%) actually does this

3. RNA - ribonucleic acid • RNA is short compared to DNA • RNA has one strand instead of two • C, G, A, and U (uracil) instead of C,G,A, and T • (U takes the place of T)

4. Messenger RNA • DNA is a large and bulky molecules, it does not travel well, so when it wants to make a protein it makes and mRNA copy of the instructions

5. Transcription • This process is called transcription, because the DNA transcribes “copies” itself • It takes advantage of base pairing

6. RNA Polymerase • An enzyme called RNA Polymerase makes all of this happen • The enzyme puts the new nucleotides in place

7. mRNA finds a ribosome • mRNA moves out of the nucleus into the cytoplasm of the cell where it finds a ribosome • The ribosome is made of RNA and it will serve as a work bench for making proteins

8. Translation • Once attached to the ribosome, the mRNA is translated from the language of nucleic acids to the language of amino acids • Each three letter word or “codon” calls for one amino acids

9. tRNA • It is the job of the transfer RNA is to transfer the correct amino acid to the correct mRNA codon

10. Polypeptide chain • In this way a polypeptide is made • Each time a a tRNA connects to a mRNA one amino acid is added to the growing chain

11. Summary • Can you label all of the parts in this diagram? • A_________ • B_________ • C_________ • D_________ • E_________ DNA mRNA Amino Acid tRNA Ribosome