RNA and Protein Synthesis

It is possible to say that RNA is the molecule most responsible for protein synthesis.

Protein synthesis happens when molecules of transfer RNA (tRNA) bring amino acids to the correct position on a long string of messenger RNA (mRNA). The amino acids are then bonded together with “peptide” bonds. This process happens at ribosomes which also contain RNA.

It is possible to say that RNA (ribonucleic acid) is the most ancient molecule of life.

One supporting argument for this is that some of the most primitive forms of bacteria contain RNA but not DNA. It is also probably true that some organisms can exist without DNA, but no organism can function without RNA. Ribosomes (containing RNA) are found in both eukaryotic and prokaryotic organisms.

Like DNA, RNA can replicate itself. It is possible that the double helix of DNA evolved as a safer, more long lasting, way of preserving the codes for making proteins.

How many “weasel words” or phrases can you find in the summary written above?

What are some key words?

If you were going to search the internet (www.google.com) for diagrams of protein synthesis what “search words” would you use?

In the fourth “paragraph” the first sentence does not have a comma after the conjunction “but”. However, the second sentence does. What would justify this difference in comma use?

How many questions can you compose based on the summary above? (use your notebook!)

Reading: pp 81-83 “Protein Synthesis: Copying the Codons” from “Biology Demystified” by Dr. Dale Layman

RNA and Protein Synthesis

Across

3 One of the final stages of protein synthesis where the base code on nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) relates to a long string of amino acids

8 A meaningful word-part that can be attached to the end of a stem word (example: "ose" meaning "sugar")

9 Latin root for "color"

11 One of at least 20 small molecules that matches individual amino acids to their corresponding codon on a mRNA molecule.

12 A spiral structure in a macromolecule containing a repeating pattern

13 In one of the first stages of protein synthesis, this single helix macromolecule is transcribed from DNA

16 The location of most of a cells DNA, also the place where transcription of codons from DNA to RNA takes place.

17 a set of three bases on one end of a tRNA molecule that recognizes its corresponding codon on an mRNA molecule

22 A five carbon sugar found in nucleic acids

23 A protein that assists chemical reactions in a cell (usually by breaking down large molecules or combining smaller ones). A cell can speed up a certain kinds of reactions by producing more of these.

24 A Greek and Latin root meaning "large"

25 A variation of "soma", the Latin root for "body"

26 A long chain of many amino acids connected by peptide bonds in a coded order.

Down

1 A meaningful word-part that can be attached before the first letter of a stem word (example: "macro" meaning "large")

2 the process of putting parts together to from a new whole

4 The basic building block of proteins

5 One of the most important elements found in organic compounds (along with hydrogen, oxygen, and carbon

6 bodies containing tightly coiled DNA molecules

7 A copying process where the codons for a particular protein are transferred from DNA to mRNA

10 two or more atoms held together by chemical bonds, the smallest unit of a compound

14 The type of chemical bond that links amino acids together in the primary structure of proteins

15 Abbreviation for deoxyribonucleic acid

18 A set of three chemical bases ultimately corresponding to one amino acid

19 Organelle where amino acids are bonded together to form a new protein

20 Contains the code for a single protein

21 A suffix that (in organic chemistry) indicates a sugar

chromosomes chrom some molecule DNA peptide

macro codon synthesis mRNA transcription

amino acid ribosome translation tRNA anticodon

enzyme ribose nitrogen nucleus polypeptide

ose suffix prefix gene helix

chromosomes	bodies containing tightly coiled DNA molecules
chrom	Latin root for “color”
some	A variation of “soma”, the Latin root for “body”
molecule	two or more atoms held together by chemical bonds, the smallest unit of a compound
DNA	Abbreviation for deoxyribonucleic acid
gene	Contains the code for a single protein
helix	A spiral structure in a macromolecule containing a repeating pattern
macro	A Greek and Latin root meaning “large”
codon	A set of three chemical bases ultimately corresponding to one amino acid
synthesis	the process of putting parts together to from a new whole
mRNA	In one of the first stages of protein synthesis, this single helix macromolecule is transcribed from DNA
transcription	A copying process where the codons for a particular protein are transferred from DNA to mRNA
nucleus	The location of most of a cells DNA, also the place where transcription of codons from DNA to RNA takes place.
aminoacid	The basic building block of proteins
ribosome	Organelle where amino acids are bonded together to form a new protein
translation	One of the final stages of protein synthesis where base code on nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) relates to a long string of amino acids
tRNA	One of at least 20 small molecules that matches individual amino acids to their corresponding codon on a mRNA molecule.
anticodon	a set of three bases on one end of a tRNA molecule that recognizes its corresponding codon on an mRNA molecule
peptide	The type of chemical bond that links amino acids together in the primary structure of proteins
polypeptide	A long chain of many amino acids connected by peptide bonds in a coded order.
enzyme	A protein that assists chemical reactions in a cell (usually by breaking down large molecules or combining smaller ones). A cell can speed up a certain kinds of reactions by producing more of these.
ribose	A five carbon sugar found in nucleic acids
nitrogen	One of the most important elements found in organic compounds (along with hydrogen, oxygen, and carbon
ose	A suffix which (in organic chemistry) indicates a sugar
suffix	A meaningful word part that can be attached to the end of a stem word (example: “ose” meaning “sugar”)
prefix	A meaningful word part that can be attached before the first letter of a stem word (examples: “macro” meaning “large” or “poly” meaning “many”)