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RNA (Ribonucleic Acid) is a nucleic acid that plays a crucial role in protein synthesis. This article explores the structure of RNA, its functions, and the process of transcription and translation. Learn about the genetic code, important codons, and the location of transcription and translation.
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RNA (RIBONUCLEIC ACID) Nucleic acid involved in the synthesis of proteins Subunits are nucleotides Nucleotides are composed of ribose sugar, phosphate and a nitrogen base
RNA STRUCTURE Differs from DNA in three ways. Single strand of nucleotides instead of double stranded Has uracil instead of thymine Contains ribose instead of deoxyribose
RNA FUNCTION Three forms of RNA involved in protein synthesis 1. mRNA (messenger): copies instructions in DNA and carries these to the ribosome. 2. tRNA (transfer): carries amino acids to the ribosome. 3. rRNA (ribosomal): composes the ribosome.
PROTEIN SYNTHESIS Cells build proteins following instructions coded in genes (DNA). Consists of two parts, transcription and translation
TRANSCRIPTION DNA is copied into a complementary strand of mRNA. WHY? DNA cannot leave the nucleus. Proteins are made in the cytoplasm. mRNA serves as a “messenger” and carries the protein building instructions to the ribosomes in the cytoplasm.
LOCATION OF TRANSCRIPTION Nucleus
HOW TRANSCRIPTION OCCURS 1. DNA unzips (usually a single gene) from a chromosome. 2. Free RNA nucleotides are paired to the exposed bases of one of the DNA strands following base pair rules. Uracil replaces thymine Only 1 strand of DNA serves as a template, the other “hangs out” 3. Newly synthesized mRNA separates from template DNA and DNA zips back up.
RESULT OF TRANSCRIPTION mRNA strand with instructions for building a protein that leaves the nucleus and goes to the cytoplasm.
TRANSCRIPTION EXAMPLE Transcribe the following DNA Sequence in mRNA TAC CGG ATC CTA GGA TCA AUG GCC UAG GAU CCU AGU
PROTEINS Structural and functional components of organisms. Composed of amino acids with peptide bounds order of nucleotides in DNA determines order of amino acids in a protein One gene codes for one protein
GENETIC CODE The “language” that translates the sequence of nitrogen bases in DNA (mRNA) into the amino acids of a protein. Codon = three nucleotides on DNA or mRNA One codon specifies one amino acid Some codons are redundant (code for the same amino acid) The genetic code is universal to all organisms
DNA: TAC CTT GTG CAT GGG ATC mRNA AUG GAA CAC GUA CCC UAG A.A MET G.A HIS VAL PRO STOP
IMPORTANT CODONS AUG = start translation (Met) UAA, UAG, UGA= stop translation
TRANSLATION Instructions in mRNA are used to build a protein
LOCATION OF TRANSLATION ribosome (in the cytoplasm)
PROCESS OF TRANSLATION 1. mRNA binds to the ribosome. 2. Ribosome searches for start codon (AUG) 3. tRNA brings correct amino acid (methionine) to the ribosome. Each tRNA carries one type of amino acid. The anticodon (three nitrogen bases on tRNA) must complement codon for amino acid to be added to protein chain
4. ribosome reads next codon 5. tRNAs continue lining up amino acids according to codons 6. peptide bonds link amino acids together 7. ribosome reaches STOP codon Amino acid chain is released
Practice online • http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/begin/dna/transcribe/