Protein Synthesis

Transcription Transcription is the process by which the information in a strand of DNA is copied into a new molecule of messenger RNA (mRNA). DNA unzips to open the codes that need to be make certain proteins. Where does this take place? Look at the picture and think about it.

mRNA Guanine always attaches Cytosine in DNA and Thymine attaches to Adenine. When creating mRNA Uracil replaces Thymine.

Transcription mRNA can pass through the Nuclear Pores but DNA can not. The mRNA carries the code to ribosomes that are in the cytoplasm.

Ribosomes-Translation In translation, messenger RNA (mRNA) is decoded by a ribosome, outside the nucleus, to produce a specific amino acid chain, or polypeptide. The polypeptide later folds into an active protein and performs its functions in the cell. mRNA is read by the ribosomes. tRNA (t-transfer) brings amino acids to build a protein chain which become protein molecules. The three letter codes for amino acids are called Codon.

Codon A codon is a sequence of three DNA or RNA nucleotides that corresponds with a specific amino acid or stop signal during protein synthesis.