Protein Synthesis

Definitions
1. Protein Synthesis: the construction of
proteins directed by DNA
---------Consists of 2 steps, which are-----------
2. Transcription: copying DNA in the
nucleus to mRNA
3. Translation: using mRNA as a guide to
form a polypeptide (protein)
 What part of the cell cycle?

Mitosis

S Phase G2 Phase
 Definitions
4. rRNA: ribosomal RNA

5. mRNA: messenger RNA

6. tRNA: transfer RNA

Where does protein synthesis happen?

• The ribosomes!
 What are the monomers
ribosomes use to build proteins?
• Amino acids
 What are proteins used for?
Type of Example Function
Function
Enzymes amylase Promotes breakdown of
starch

Hormones insulin Regulates blood sugar

levels

Structural keratin Hair, wool, nails, horns,

hoofs, etc.

Transport hemoglobin Carries oxygen in blood

Immune defense antibodies Rid the body of foreign

proteins

Contractile actin Contracting fibers in

muscles
How does protein synthesis happen?

This is known as the

central dogma
of Biology.
3 Differences between DNA & RNA
DNA: RNA:
• Deoxyribose sugar • Ribose sugar
• Contains thymine (T) • Contains uracil (U)
 A-T and C-G instead of thymine
• Double-stranded  A-U and C-G
• Single strand
 3 Types of RNA
1. rRNA
a. Location: nucleus and ribosomes
b. Function: combines with proteins to make
ribosomes
 3 Types of RNA
2. mRNA
a. Location: nucleus and cytoplasm
b. Function: brings instructions from DNA
in nucleus to ribosomes in the cytoplasm

mRNA
 3 Types of RNA
3. tRNA
a. Location: nucleus and cytoplasm
b. Function: brings amino acids to ribosome
to build polypeptides (proteins)

tRNA
 How are proteins made?

• Step 1: Transcription – RNA polymerase

splits open DNA and copies it to form a
strand of mRNA. mRNA leaves the
nucleus.
 How are proteins made?
• Step 2: Translation – mRNA in the
cytoplasm binds to a ribosome. Ribosome
reads it 3 bases at a time, and matches these
with bases on tRNA attached to an amino
acid. An amino acid chain is formed from
many peptide bonds.
 How are proteins made?
• Step 3: Protein folding – polypeptide is
folded, and combined with other
polypeptides to form a protein.
 What is a codon?

• mRNA is read 3 bases at a time – a codon is

the 3 base code, or triplet code, of mRNA.
 What is a polypeptide?
• A long chain of amino acids linked by
peptide bonds
How many different amino acids
can each codon specify?

• Only one (CUC only codes for leucine)

 Can an amino acid have more
than one codon?

• Yes! (ex.: phe, leu, pro, thr, ala, val, gly, etc.)
Transcribe the DNA into mRNA,
then translate it into amino acids.
 Animations of Protein Synthesis
http://www-
class.unl.edu/biochem/gp2/m_biology/animation/gene/gene_a3.ht
ml

http://www.wisc-online.com/objects/index_tj.asp?objID=AP1302

GAME:

http://library.thinkquest.org/20465/g_DNATranscription.html

http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/begin/dna/transcribe/