Protein Synthesis STAAR Q

Protein synthesis is the process by which cells generate new proteins, involving transcription of DNA to mRNA and translation of mRNA to amino acids.

mRNA (messenger RNA) carries the genetic information from DNA to the ribosome, where proteins are synthesized.

Transcription is the process of copying a segment of DNA into mRNA, which occurs in the nucleus.

Translation is the process where ribosomes read the mRNA sequence and assemble amino acids into a polypeptide chain to form a protein.

Ribosomes are cellular structures that facilitate the translation of mRNA into proteins.

Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins; they are linked together in a specific sequence to form proteins.

The genetic code is a set of rules that defines how the sequence of nucleotides in mRNA is translated into the sequence of amino acids in proteins.

Codons are sequences of three nucleotides in mRNA that correspond to specific amino acids or stop signals during protein synthesis.

The start codon (AUG) signals the beginning of translation and codes for the amino acid methionine.

Stop codons (UAA, UAG, UGA) signal the termination of protein synthesis, indicating that the polypeptide chain is complete.