How does DNA code for genetic

information?
How does the information get from the nucleus to
the cytoplasm?
 DNA (master plan); RNA (blueprint)

◻ Never bring a valuable master plan to the building

site, where it might be damaged or lost
◻ Instead they bring inexpensive copies or blueprints.
 From DNA to Protein
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gG7uCskUOrA&f
eature=youtu.be
Messenger RNA: mRNA
◻ Nucleic acid that consists of a long chain of
nucleotides
◻ Copied from DNA.
 Differences Between RNA and DNA
DNA
RNA
● Sugar is deoxyribose ● Sugar is ribose
● DNA is double- ● RNA is generally
stranded single-stranded RNA
● DNA contains G, C, A, ● RNA contains G, C, A
and T (thymine) . and uracil (U) in
place of thymine (T).
DNA VS. RNA
Transcription: DNA → mRNA
◻ Segments of DNA serve as templates to produce
complementary mRNA molecules
◻ Makes a copy
◻ Occurs in nucleus of eukaryotes.
DNA 5’ ATG CGT GTA AAT GCA 3’

3’ TAC GCA CAT TTA CGT 5’

mRNA 5’ AUG CGU GUA AAU GCA 3’

DNA

Polymer of Nucleotides Polymer of amino acids

(peptides)
In the nucleus (Eukaryotic
cells) In the cytoplasm

Order of bases determine Order of amino acids

the genes which code for determine the protein
amino acids shape and function

4 bases: A, G, C, T 20 AA
 Translation: mRNA → Protein
◻ Each three-letter “word” in mRNA
◻ Consists of three consecutive bases that specify a
single amino acid.
 Translation: mRNA → Protein
◻ Proteins are made from long chains of amino acids
or polypeptides
◻ 20 different amino acids
◻ Order of amino acids make proteins different.
DNA → mRNA → Protein
DNA 5’ ATG CGT GTA AAT GCA 3’

3’ TAC GCA CAT TTA CGT 5’

mRNA 5’ AUG CGU GUA AAU GCA 3’

Protein Met Arg Val Asn Ala

 Molecular Basis of Heredity
◻ Most genes contain instructions for assembling
proteins.
Functions of mRNA
◻ Disposable copy of a segment (gene) of DNA
◻ Protein synthesis.
3 Types of RNA
◻ Messenger or mRNA
◻ Ribosomal or rRNA
◻ Transfer or tRNA.
 Messenger RNA
◻ Carry copies of DNA instructions.
 Ribosomal RNA
◻ Make up ribosomes which are the site of
translation
 Transfer RNA
◻ Transfers each amino acid to the ribosome
according to mRNA.
◻ It has the anticodon
 RNA polymerase
◻ Enzyme similar to DNA polymerase
◻ Binds to DNA and separate strands
◻ Uses one strand of DNA as a template and makes a
complementary RNA strand.
 Promoters
◻ Regions of DNA that have
specific base sequences
◻ Shows RNA polymerase
where to bind and start
◻ Similar signal shows
where to stop.
RNA Editing
◻ Exon
⬜ The part of the DNA that codes for
the protein that is to be made
◻ Intron
⬜ The part of the DNA that does NOT
code for the protein that is to be
made.
Why Have Introns
◻ One gene can code for different proteins
(alternative splicing): Instructions for one protein may cut
out one set of introns, but different introns may be cut out for
a different protein

◻ Genes and Protein instructions may overlap in

DNA
 Translation: mRNA → Protein
◻ Each three-letter “word” in mRNA
◻ Consists of three consecutive bases that specify a
single amino acid.
How to Read Codons
◻ Four different bases in RNA, so if the codon was
made up of 2 bases, how many possible 2-base
codons?
How to Read Codons
◻ Four different bases in RNA, so 64 possible three-
base codons (4×4×4 = 64)
◻ To read a codon, start at the middle of the circle
and move outward.
◻ Starts with AUG
◻ Has three stop codons.
Translation
◻ Decoding of an mRNA message into a protein
◻ From RNA to protein
◻ Different languages.
1. A certain gene has the following base sequence
GACAAGTCCACAATC
2. Write this sequence down
3. From left to right, write the sequence of mRNA
molecule transcribed from this gene
4. Using the codon key, read the mRNA from left to
right and write down the amino acid sequence
5. Repeat step 3 reading the codons from right to
left.
Analyze and Conclude
1. Apply Concepts Why did steps 3 and 4 produce
different polypeptides
2. Infer Do cells usually decode nucleotides in one
direction only or in either direction
 Translation Steps
◻ mRNA is transcribed in the nucleus and then enters
the cytoplasm for translation.
Translation
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxUHVv2k31u
TOiCm4njuRfQ

2.49
3.35-6.24
◻ Ribosome attaches to
an mRNA molecule
◻ Ribosome reads each
codon of mRNA
◻ Directs tRNA to bring
the specified amino acid
◻ Ribosome then attaches
each amino acid to the
growing chain.
◻ tRNA has three unpaired bases or anticodon which
is complementary to one mRNA codon
◻ Codon AUG
◻ Anticodon UAC.
◻ Next codon is UUC
◻ tRNA molecule with an AAG anticodon brings the
amino acid to ribosome.
◻ Ribosome helps form a peptide bond between 1st
and 2nd amino acid
◻ Bond between tRNA molecule and amino acid is
broken
◻ tRNA shifts to 3rd site.
◻ Ribosome moves over one codon
◻ New tRNA enters ribosome
◻ Process repeats itself.
◻ Translation continues until a stop codon
◻ Ribosome release polypeptide and mRNA.
Gene → Protein
Not all proteins are coded for by one gene
Example: haemoglobin in RBC
Coded for by two genes
Made of: 2 alpha and 2 beta globin proteins and iron
ions
Proteins Can
◻ Be enzymes
◻ Produce pigment or odor
◻ Regulate growth
◻ Trigger development
◻ Operate cell parts.
Gene Expression

◻ The translation of the information encoded in a

gene into a functional product (proteins)
◻ How the genes gets expressed or shown.
◻ Every cell has the same DNA
◻ Not all genes are expressed/ switched on/ active
◻ Genetic code is nearly universal in all living
organisms.
◻ Same codons code for the exact amino acids in
nearly every organism on Earth
Anotate