Protein Synthesis Vocabulary

Front

What is transcription?

Back

Transcription is the process of copying a segment of DNA into RNA. It occurs in the nucleus and is the first step in protein synthesis.

Front

What is translation?

Back

Translation is the process where ribosomes synthesize proteins using the mRNA template. It occurs in the cytoplasm.

Front

What is a ribosome?

Back

A ribosome is a cellular structure that facilitates the translation of mRNA into proteins. It can be found free in the cytoplasm or attached to the endoplasmic reticulum.

Front

What is the role of mRNA?

Back

mRNA (messenger RNA) carries the genetic information from DNA to the ribosome, where it serves as a template for protein synthesis.

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Front

What is the role of tRNA?

Back

tRNA (transfer RNA) transports amino acids to the ribosome during translation, matching them to the coded mRNA sequence.

Front

What is the cytoplasm?

Back

The cytoplasm is the gel-like substance within a cell that surrounds the organelles and is the site of many metabolic processes, including translation.

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Front

What is the difference between transcription and translation?

Back

Transcription is the process of creating RNA from DNA, while translation is the process of synthesizing proteins from mRNA.

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Front

What is a codon?

Back

A codon is a sequence of three nucleotides in mRNA that corresponds to a specific amino acid or stop signal during protein synthesis.

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NGSS.HS-LS1-1

Front

What is an amino acid?

Back

An amino acid is a building block of proteins. There are 20 different amino acids that combine in various sequences to form proteins.

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Front

What is a gene?

Back

A gene is a segment of DNA that contains the instructions for making a specific protein or set of proteins.

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