Protein Synthesis

The Genetic Code

A gene is a sequence of bases in DNA that codes for the sequence of amino acids in a polypeptide (protein) The language of a gene has only 4 letters - these are?
A T C and G

The Genetic Code

The language of a protein has 20 letters - these are?
The 20 different amino acids that make up proteins

The Genetic Code

If 1 base coded for one amino acid in a protein then, only 4 amino acids could be coded for If 2 bases coded for one amino acid in a protein then, only 16 amino acids could be coded for If 3 bases coded for one amino acid in a protein then, 64 amino acids could be coded for more than enough

41 = 4
42 = 16

43 = 64

The genetic code is a triplet code

The Genetic Code

There are 20 amino acids to be coded for and 64 base triplets to use to code them Each amino acid has more than one code word that is the genetic code is degenerate.

The Genetic Code

The genetic code is non-overlapping ATTCGAGGCGGT is read as ATT CGA GGC GGT

Each base is a part of only one triplet.

The Genetic Code is:

A

triplet code Degenerate Non-overlapping Universal

Protein synthesis
2

major processes involved

Transcription Translation

Transcription
The

relevant gene in the DNA in the nucleus is copied into a molecule of RNA called mRNA or messenger RNA

Transcription
A G

T
C G

C
T

DNA double helix unzips as hydrogen bonds between complementary bases break and the two polynucleotide strands separate

Transcription
A G A

T
C G

G
C

C
T

One strand called the sense strand acts as a template, free RNA nucleotides complementary base pair to the exposed bases on this strand by forming hydrogen bonds RNA polymerase forms sugar-phosphate bonds between nucleotides

Transcription
A G A

T
C G

G
C

C
T

The mRNA detaches from the sense strand The two DNA strands join together by complementary base pairing The DNA molecules winds back up into a helix

Transcription

The sequences of 3 bases on the mRNA coding for amino acids are called CODONS. Not all the bases in the DNA code for amino acids so the mRNA just transcribed contains non-coding regions known as INTRONS

Transcription
exon intron exon intron exon

enzymes

These introns are removed by enzymes before the mRNA leaves the nucleus This leaves just EXONS or coding regions of mRNA

Transcription
intron exon exon intron exon

enzymes

These introns are removed by enzymes before the mRNA leaves the nucleus This leaves just EXONS or coding regions of mRNA

Transcription to translation
Following the removal of introns the mRNA moves out through a nuclear pore and attaches to a ribosome

mRNA

nucleus ribosome

Translation
tRNA

aa1 tRNA

aa2

UAC

GGG anticodon

AUG CCC GGG CGC ACA CGU UUC UGA

start codon

stop codon

peptide bond formed

aa1 tRNA tRNA

aa2

UAC GGG AUG CCC GGG CGC ACA CGU UUC UGA

aa1 tRNA tRNA

aa2

UAC GGG AUG CCC GGG CGC ACA CGU UUC UGA

empty tRNA leaves to pick up another specific amino acid

aa3 tRNA

aa1 tRNA

aa2

CCC

GGG AUG CCC GGG CGC ACA CGU UUC UGA

Ribosome moves along mRNA by one codon

peptide bond formed

aa1 tRNA

aa2 tRNA

aa3

GGG CCC AUG CCC GGG CGC ACA CGU UUC UGA

empty tRNA leaves to pick up another specific amino acid

aa1

aa2

aa3

aa4

aa5

aa6

aa7

aa8

tRNA

ACU AUG CCC GGG CGC ACA CGU UUC UGA

This process is repeated until the ribosome reads a stop codon