1. Protein Synthesis
RNA

2. RNA : Single stranded nucleic acid that makes proteins
Recall: Genes are coded DNA instructions that control protein production.
DNA must be copied to RNA (mRNA)
RNA structure: identical to DNA except:
Sugar = Ribose
Single Stranded
Nitrogen base pairs = C, G, A, and Uracil (U) (replaces thymine)

3. RNA structure: identical to DNA except:
Sugar = Ribose
Single Stranded
Nitrogen base pairs = C, G, A, and Uracil (U) (replaces thymine)
Nitrogen Base
Two groups:
Purines
Adenine (A) & Guanine (G)
Pyrimidines
Uracil (U) & Cytosine (C)

4. 3 Types of RNA
Messenger RNA (mRNA): Carries a copy of instructions to make proteins from DNA in nucleus → cytoplasm (ribosomes).

5. Transfer RNA (tRNA): Transfers amino acids to the ribosomes for protein assembly.

6. Ribosomal RNA (rRNA): Makes up the ribosomes.

7. Transcription: Process by which a portion of DNA is copied to a complementary RNA sequence inside the nucleus.

8. RNA polymerase (RNAP or RNApol) is an enzyme that is responsible for making RNA from a DNA template.

9. codon
a sequence of three nucleotides forming a unit of genetic code in a Messenger RNA molecule. A codon is the monomer of a protein. There are 64 total possible codons that produce 20 amino acids

10. Translation: the decoding of an mRNA sequence into amino acids on ribosomes
Begins at AUG (“start” codon) Universal start codon= Methionine
Translation continues until a “stop” codon is read (UAA, UAG, UGA)

11. Anti-codon
a sequence of three nucleotides forming a unit of genetic code in a transfer RNA molecule, corresponding to a complementary codon in messenger RNA.

12. Peptide Bonds
The chemical bond formed between amino acids, constituting the primary linkage in all protein structures. Amino acids connect with peptide bonds to form proteins (“polypeptides”)

13. Protein
Proteins are enzymes – catalysts that increase rate of reactions. Proper synthesis of proteins is essential to organism survival. “By coding for proteins, DNA holds the key to life”