Unit 5 –Protein Synthesis Vocabulary

Unit 5 –Protein Synthesis Vocabulary

RNA ribonucleic acid, a nucleic acid present in all living cells It’s a single helix structure and has the nitrogen base uracil instead of thymine

mRNA Messenger RNA that carries instructions from DNA for protein synthesis

rRNA Ribosomal RNA which is the site of protein synthesis

tRNA Transfer RNA that transfer an amino acid to the ribosome. Has the anticodon that attaches to the codon of the mRNA

Protein Synthesis The process that forms proteins. There are 2 steps: transcription and translation

Transcription The first step of protein synthesis. The mRNA travels to the nucleus and combines with DNA to get the genetic code for the production of proteins. The mRNA leaves the nucleus and goes to the cytoplasm.

Translation Second step of protein synthesis. mRNA combines with rRNA in the cytoplasm. A tRNA goes to the ribosome and the anticodon combines with the correct codon on the mRNA to create the correct sequence of amino acids. This process repeats leaving an amino acid behind creating a peptide chain. Once a STOP codon is read the chain is complete and a protein has been formed.

Amino Acid Building block of proteins

Codon Three nitrogen base sequence found on the mRNA

Anti-codon a three base sequence found on the tRNA that corresponds to the codon on a mRNA