What is protein synthesis and how does it work?

Protein synthesis is the process in which proteins are produced within cells, from the DNA in the cell nucleus. It is divided into two steps: transcription and translation.
Transcription is when the DNA in the nucleus of the cell is copied into RNA.The helicase enzyme "unzips" the double stranded DNAIndividual RNA molecules line up alongside the antisense strand according to "base-pairing rules" (A-U, G-C)DNA polymerase binds the RNA molecules together to produce a strand of mRNAThe mRNA is transported to the cytoplasm where translation can begin
Translation is when the mRNA is used to produce a polypeptide (the starting strand to produce a protein).The mRNA strand binds to a ribosomal subunitThe RNA bases are grouped into triplets called "triplet codons" the ribosome reads these triplet codonsFor each triplet codon there will be a tRNA molecule made up of the complementary "anticodon" and the corresponding amino acid for that triplet codonThe tRNA anticodon binds to the complementary codon on the mRNA strandThe next codon will be read, and the next complementary tRNA anticodon will bind to the mRNA strandThe amino acids on each of the tRNA molecules will bind to each other via a peptide bondThis continues along the strand of mRNA until a stop codon is reached
The polypeptide is then transported to the endoplasmic reticulum where it is folded to produce the tertiary structure of the protein.

NC
Answered by Nicole C. Biology tutor

4040 Views

See similar Biology A Level tutors

Related Biology A Level answers

All answers ▸

How does the presentation of a virus antigen by a macrophage lead to antibody production against the antigen?


What is the most important function of mitochondria?


How does nervous input in a human cause increase cardiac output during exercise?


A drug used in a scientific trial is a competitive inhibitor of the elctron transport chain in the light dependent reaction, what affect will this have on the amount of glucose synthesised by the plant? (4 marks)


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

© MyTutorWeb Ltd 2013–2025

Terms & Conditions|Privacy Policy
Cookie Preferences