Protein Synthesis Review

Front

What is protein synthesis?

Back

The process by which cells generate new proteins, involving transcription of DNA to mRNA and translation of mRNA to amino acids.

Front

What is the role of DNA in protein synthesis?

Back

DNA contains the genetic instructions for the synthesis of proteins.

Front

What is mRNA?

Back

Messenger RNA (mRNA) is a type of RNA that carries genetic information from DNA to the ribosome, where proteins are synthesized.

Front

What is the role of ribosomes in protein synthesis?

Back

Ribosomes are the cellular structures where translation occurs, synthesizing proteins by linking amino acids together.

Front

What is transcription?

Back

The process of copying a segment of DNA into mRNA.

Front

What is translation?

Back

The process of decoding mRNA to synthesize a polypeptide chain (protein) at the ribosome.

Front

How many nucleotides are needed to code for one amino acid?

Back

Three nucleotides (a codon) are required to code for one amino acid.

Front

What is a codon?

Back

A codon is a sequence of three nucleotides in mRNA that specifies a particular amino acid.

Front

What is the start codon?

Back

The start codon is AUG, which codes for the amino acid Methionine and signals the beginning of translation.

Front

What is a stop codon?

Back

A stop codon is a codon that signals the termination of protein synthesis; examples include UAA, UAG, and UGA.