Transfer of genetic info into an INTERMEDIATE
message, which CARRIES the info to the RIBOSOME
(protein-synthesizing factory) where a PROTEIN is made
by TRANSLATION
DNA --> RNA
DNA = 4 letters = A,T,G,C
RNA = 4 letters = A,U,G,C
3 types of RNA
transcribed from genes
by RNA polymerase
mRNA (messenger RNA)
each is a POLYMER OF
NUCLEOTIDES that
contain info to be
CONVERTED by
TRANSLATION INTO A
POLYPEPTIDE (protein)
tRNA (transfer RNA)
TRANSPORT
specific amino
acids to the
RIBOSOME,
the protein
synthesizing
complex (like
trucks)
Each has a different amino acid on it and has a slightly different structure
Activating enzymes put the specific
amino acid onto the specific tRNA
end
Down in the anticodon loop, there's a string of 3
nucleotides that are SPECIFIC to the tRNA which are
complementary to the bases in the codon that is
complementary to the other string of nucleotides.
Amino acid does NOT interact directly with the codon
Base pairing between anticodon and codon
because there's a tRNA in between! Goes on
in the ribosome.
rRNA (ribosomal RNA)
complexed with proteins to FORM ribosome
Ribosome is the site of protein synthesis
contains sites where RNA can sit in the ribosome
2 subunits
Translation
RNA --> Protein
RNA = 4 letters = A,U,G,C
Protein = 20 letters = amino acids
Initiation
Binding site = certain site of mRNA where it doesn't get translated
Initiator tRNA comes in carrying Met (start) cause it has the complementary base
Requires energy
Elongation
where polypeptide gets elongated
Termination
Protein release factor triggers a
dissociation of the whole
complex so the polypeptide is
released, tRNA is released, and
the ribosome subunits separate
The genetic code
Triplets of nucleotides are
called CODONS b/c they
code for specific amino acids
UNIVERSAL
Redundancy --> genetic code is
DEGENERATE
Consists of nucleotide bases that are read
LINEARLY, 3 at a time, the sequence of each
TRIPLET (codon) specifying an AMINO ACID
Hydrogen bonding between DNA and RNA
DNA --> Protein (polypeptides)
Enzymes can catalyze formation
of bonds between chromosomes
Enzymes are involved in metabolism of the cell
Metabolism can be divided into 2 pathways
Catabolic pathways
Break things down
Substrate --> B+C
Anabolic pathways
Build things up
A --> B --> C--> D--> end product
at each step, there's an
enzyme/polypeptide required
Stages in gene expression
Structure of a gene
Coding sequences
recognized by
RNA polyermase:
Start --> stop
START = PROMOTER
Why doesn't it start anywhere?
Because we want a SPECIFIC
sequence of nucleotides to occur in the
message so that it'll appear in the
polypeptide
RNA polymerase binds, and the DNA strand is broken
open so the base is free in the template strand for
complementary base pairing with the newly synthesized
RNA
Initiation of transcription by
RNA polymerase:
PROMOTER RECOGNITION
1) RNA polymerase moves along DNA until it
reaches PROMOTER. Binds tightly and opens up
the double helix.
2) Nucleoside triphosphate
with a complementary base
comes along and bonds via
HYDROGEN BONDING
Elongation
Process of
incorporating
nucleotides into the
TRANSCRIPT
RNA polymerase
keeps moving down
the gene at each DNA
base in the template.
Newly synthesized
strand of RNA is being
made in the 5' --> 3'
direction.
Termination
RNA polymerase falls
off the DNA and releases
the completed RNA
transcript.
STOP = TERMINATOR
Puts
polymers of
RNA
nucleotides
together
More types of genes, than there are those that code for proteins