How Your Body Creates Proteins

Summary

Protein synthesis is a vital process by which the body creates proteins. It involves two main stages: transcription and translation. In transcription, the DNA's instructions are converted into messenger RNA (mRNA) in the nucleus, which then leaves the nucleus. In translation, the mRNA is used in the cytoplasm to assemble amino acids into proteins with the help of ribosomes and transfer RNA (tRNA). This process continues until the protein is fully assembled, following a start and stop codon. The result is a complete protein, crucial for various bodily functions.

Takeaways

• 😀 Protein synthesis is the process by which the body creates proteins from chains of amino acids.
• 😀 The sequence and types of amino acids determine the specific function of each protein.
• 😀 Protein synthesis occurs in two stages: transcription (in the nucleus) and translation (in the cytoplasm).
• 😀 Transcription converts DNA instructions into messenger RNA (mRNA) in the nucleus.
• 😀 RNA polymerase reads DNA base triplets to build the corresponding mRNA sequence.
• 😀 In mRNA, uracil (U) replaces thymine (T), and the codons in mRNA correspond to amino acids.
• 😀 Introns (non-coding regions) are removed from mRNA during transcription, leaving only exons (coding regions).
• 😀 The mature mRNA leaves the nucleus and enters the cytoplasm for translation.
• 😀 Translation occurs in the cytoplasm, where mRNA is used to assemble amino acids into a protein.
• 😀 Ribosomes read mRNA codons and recruit tRNA molecules that bring the appropriate amino acids.
• 😀 The process of translation continues until a stop codon signals the completion of the protein, which detaches from the ribosome.

Q & A

What is protein synthesis?

Protein synthesis is the process by which the body creates proteins, which are chains of amino acids. The sequence of these amino acids determines the structure and function of each protein.

What are the two main stages of protein synthesis?

The two main stages of protein synthesis are transcription and translation.

Where does transcription occur?

Transcription occurs in the nucleus of the cell.

What happens during transcription?

During transcription, the instructions for assembling a protein, located in the cell's DNA, are converted into messenger RNA (mRNA), which serves as a template for building the protein.

What is the role of RNA polymerase in transcription?

RNA polymerase is the enzyme that attaches to the DNA template and reads the base triplets to build the messenger RNA using free nucleotides.

What is the difference between a DNA base triplet and an mRNA codon?

A DNA base triplet contains information for assembling an amino acid in a protein, while an mRNA codon is a corresponding sequence of three bases in the mRNA that directs the assembly of amino acids.

What are introns and exons in the context of mRNA?

Introns are sections of the mRNA that will not be used to build the protein, while exons are the parts that remain after the introns are removed and are spliced together to form the functional mRNA.

Where does translation occur?

Translation occurs in the cytoplasm of the cell.

What is the function of the ribosome in translation?

The ribosome reads the mRNA strand and assembles amino acids into a protein by matching each mRNA codon with the appropriate transfer RNA (tRNA) molecule carrying the correct amino acid.

What signals the end of translation?

Translation ends when a stop codon is encountered, signaling the completion of the protein assembly.