Protein Synthesis

2.7
Protein Synthesis

Protein synthesis is the process of creating proteins from amino acids using the directions provided by DNA.

​

Overall Purpose

Protein Synthesis has two steps:

1. Transcription (write down)
2. Translation (convert)

​

​Steps

Happens in the nucleus

Certain parts of DNA (gene sequences) are unwound by RNA Polymerase and create a matching strand of mRNA (messenger RNA).

Once copied, the mRNA leaves the nucleus and heads to the cytoplasm.

​

Transcription

A transcribes into U
T transcribes into A
G transcribes into C
C transcribes into G

​

Transcription

The second phase of protein synthesis uses mRNA to string amino acids together to form a larger protein.

mRNA binds to a ribosome in the cytoplasm. Every three letters (a codon) matches an opposite tRNA molecule, which lets the ribosome know the order in which amino acids should be chained together to make the protein. This continues until a stop codon is reached.

Translation

Use the mRNA sequence to find the correct amino acid.

​

​Translation

The gene sequences for proteins are universal. If the same code is found in two species, they can make the same protein.

We inject the genetic code for insulin into bacteria to produce medicinal insulin.

​

Universality

Multiple Choice

What are the two steps to protein synthesis?

• Transcription and translation

• Mutation and splicing
• Replication and recombination
• Denaturation and elongation

Multiple Choice

What is the purpose of protein synthesis?

• The purpose of protein synthesis is to generate lipids for cell structure

• The purpose of protein synthesis is to produce carbohydrates for energy
• The purpose of protein synthesis is to create DNA for genetic information
• The purpose of protein synthesis is to produce proteins that are essential for various cellular functions.

Fill in the Blanks

Open Ended

Write down the DNA sequence for your bracelet. Below it, write down the transcribed mRNA strand. Finally, write down the amino acid sequence created.