Unit 5 Protein Synthesis Vocabulary RNA ribonucleic acid

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

m. RNA Messenger RNA that carries instructions from DNA for protein synthesis

r. RNA Ribosomal RNA which is the site of protein synthesis

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

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

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

Translation Second step of protein synthesis. m. RNA combines with r. RNA in the cytoplasm. A t. RNA goes to the ribosome and the anticodon combines with the correct codon on the m. RNA 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 m. RNA

Anti-codon a three base sequence found on the t. RNA that corresponds to the codon on a m. RNA