10/12/2010 BBC - Higher Bitesize Biology - RNA and …

Biology
RNA and protein synthesis

The structure of RNA

RNA is a type of nucleic acid called ribonucleic acid:

The RNA nucleotidesnucleotide: a molecule built from a
nitrogenous base (base containing nitrogen), a 5-carbon
sugar (a pentose sugar) and a phosphate group are joined
to form a single strand.
The nucleotides are joined by a bond between the sugar of
one nucleotide and the phosphate of the next.
RNA differs from DNA in the following ways:
RNA is single stranded while DNA is double stranded.
RNA has a sugar called ribose while DNA has a sugar
called deoxyribose.
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RNA has the base uracil while DNA has the base thymine.
There are two types of RNA that need to be known for this topic.
The first is messenger RNA, or mRNA. This is formed in the
nucleus of the cell cell: Basic unit of life. Unicellular organisms
only have one cell. Multicellular organisms have many cells.. It
rewrites the sequence of bases of a section of DNA in a process
called transcription.

mRNA carries the code for building a specific protein

from the nucleus to the ribosomes in the
cytoplasm cytoplasm: The living substance inside a cell
(not including the nucleus).. That is, it acts as a
messenger.

The second is transfer RNA, or tRNA. This is found in the

cytoplasm.

The tRNA picks up specific amino acids amino acids:

Complex molecules, which form the building-blocks of
proteins. from the cytoplasm and brings them into
position on the surface of a ribosome where they can be
joined together in specific order to make a specific
protein.

This process is called translation.

Protein synthesis
The following factors must be present for DNA
replicationreplication: Production of an identical copy. and
transcription:
gene (DNA) to act as a template
supply of free RNA nucleotides
enzymes
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ATP
The base sequence in a DNA molecule, represented by the
letters A T C G, make up the genetic code.
The bases hydrogen bond together in a complementary manner
between strands. A will always go with T (U in RNA) and G will
always go with C.

This code determines the type of amino acids and the

order in which they are joined together to make a
specific protein. The sequence of amino acids in a
protein determines its structure and function.

The DNA code is a triplet codetriplet code: the genetic code

made by a triplet of bases in the DNA chains: AAA; GCT; CAT
etc. Each triplet, a group of three bases, codes for a specific
amino acid:
the triplet of bases on the DNA and mRNA is known as a
codon
the triplet of bases on the tRNA is known as an anti-codon
The main stages of protein synthesis are transcription and
translation.

The process of transcription

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Transcription takes place in the nucleus:

the gene coding for the protein required untwists then
unzips, the H-bonds between the strands break
free RNA nucleotides form complementary base pairsbase
pair: The pair of nitrogenous bases that connects the
complementary strands of DNA. with one strand of DNA
bases
weak hydrogen bonds form between base pairs
sugar phosphate bonds form between RNA nucleotides
mRNA strand is synthesized
mRNA peels off the DNA and moves out of the nucleus into
the cytoplasm
The process of translation

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Translation takes place on the ribosomes in the cytoplasm, or

found on the rough Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER):
the ribosomes are the sites of protein synthesis
the mRNA strand attaches to a ribosome
tRNA moleculesmolecules: a collection of two or more
atoms held together by chemical bonds. The fundamental
unit of compounds transport specific amino acids to the
ribosome
each mRNA codon codes for a specific amino acid
the anti-codons and codons match up and form
complementary base pairs
peptide bonds form between the adjacent amino acids to
form the polypeptide (protein)

It is important to note that the tRNA is reused and

collects another specific amino acid. Once the protein
has been synthesised synthesised: made or put together
mRNA may move to another ribosome to make a further
protein or it can be broken down into free nucleotides to
be reused.

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Processing the proteins

After translation, the protein passes into the channels of the

rough endoplasmic reticulum (ER) for transportation. The protein
is then passed from the rough ER to the Golgi apparatus inside
tiny fluid-filled sacs, called vesicles. The Golgi apparatus is a
system of membranesmembrane: a very thin layer of tissue,
which are responsible for the modification, processing, and
packaging of the proteins. The protein may have a carbohydrate
added, to form a glycoprotein. The Golgi apparatus packages the
protein in a secretory vesicle, which fuses with the cell
membrane and releases the protein from the cell.

RNA and protein synthesis exam skills

Questions on this topic often require you to demonstrate an
ability to deal with the complementary base pairingsbase
pairing: Complementary pairing: A always pairs with T, and G
always pairs with C. between DNA, mRNA and tRNA.

You need to understand the progression working forward from

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DNA to mRNA then to tRNA and to the associated amino acid
may be provided in a table. Other questions may reverse this
order of events. It is good practice and will make the task more
manageable if you draw a diagram or template showing the base
pairings. This will allow you to work forward or backwards as
required.

Example 1
Part of a DNA strand has the base order A T C G T T C A G.
You are asked to identify the anti-codons associated with this
strand.
Remember the sequence of events in the stages of RNA protein
synthesis:
transcription of mRNA from DNA
tRNA matches the mRNA (anti-codons match the codons)
You should then work forward identifying the triplet codes as
follows (make sure you substitute uracil (U) for thymine (T) when
dealing with the RNA molecules):

Triplet codes in DNA, mRNA, and tRNA

DNA strand : ATC GTT CAG

mRNA : UAG CAA GUC
tRNA : AUC GUU CAG

Question
In a DNA molecule, the base sequence CAT codes for the
amino acid valine. Using the initial letters of the bases, write the
base sequence of the anti-codon on the tRNA molecule to
which valine becomes attached.

Answer
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Anti-codon : C A U

Now try a Test Bite

Back to Revision Bite

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