DNA -> RNA -> Proteins

DNA -> RNA -> Proteins

The basic language of all living things.

The basic language of all living things.

A GeneA 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

• 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

RNA - ribonucleic acidRNA - 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)

• 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)

Messenger RNAMessenger 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

• 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

TranscriptionTranscription• This process is called transcription,

because the DNA transcribes “copies” itself

• It takes advantage of base pairing

• This process is called transcription, because the DNA transcribes “copies” itself

• It takes advantage of base pairing

RNA PolymeraseRNA Polymerase

• An enzyme called RNA Polymerase makes all of this happen

• The enzyme puts the new nucleotides in place

• An enzyme called RNA Polymerase makes all of this happen

• The enzyme puts the new nucleotides in place

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mRNA finds a ribosomemRNA 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

• 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

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TranslationTranslation

• 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

• 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

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tRNAtRNA

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

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

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Polypeptide chainPolypeptide 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

• 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

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SummarySummary

• Can you label all of the parts in this diagram?

• A_________• B_________• C_________• D_________• E_________

• Can you label all of the parts in this diagram?

• A_________• B_________• C_________• D_________• E_________

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DNA

mRNAAmino Acid

tRNA

Ribosome