From Genes to

Proteins
 DNA and RNA differ in 3
ways
RNA DNA

 Single-stranded  Double-stranded

 Ribose (sugar)  Deoxiribose (sugar)

 Uracil (base)   Thymine (base) 

bonds to Adenine bonds to Adenine
The Flow of Information
The Flow of Information
 Transcription
 This is the first step in Protein
Synthesis:
1. The instructions are transferred
(“transcribed”) to an RNA molecule.
 To sum up Transcription…
 Info transferred from DNA to RNA
 What is the Enzyme involved in
Transcription?
 Answer  RNA Polymerase
 Transcription has 3
steps…
1 – RNA
Polymerase
binds to the
gene’s
promoter
(DNA) 
(like a
starting line
in a race).
2 – RNA Polymerase UNWINDS the DNA
molecule. The DNA nucleotides are
exposed.
3 – RNA Polymerase (yeah, that same
enzyme again…) adds
complimentary nucleotides to
separated DNA strand.
** Remember  RNA has Uracil
instead of Thymine for a base.
 The RNA Polymerase will continue
transcription until it reaches the
“stop signal” on the DNA molecule
(like a finish line).
 Then the RNA strand is released and
goes on to the next step…
Translation
Transcripti
on
Transcription
 3 types of RNA
 mRNA (messenger RNA)

 rRNA (ribosomal RNA)

 tRNA (transfer RNA)

 Messenger RNA
 Delivers information to the site of
Translation.
 mRNA instructions are written in
“3-nucleotide” sequences.
 These sequences are called codons.
 Ex. See pg. 209
 UUU, CUG, ACU, etc.
 There are 64 possible codons.
 Translation
 Remember what happens in
Transcription?
 DNA to RNA
 In Translation…RNA is coded for
Amino Acids.
 Translation takes
place in the
Cytoplasm.
 tRNA (Transfer
RNA) molecules
carry single
amino acids.
 They also have
an OPPOSITE “3-
nucleotide”
sequence called
 rRNA (Ribosomal RNA) molecules are
like assembly lines  they carry:
 1 mRNA
 2 tRNA
 7 Steps in Translation
1 – mRNA start codon starts the
process at the P site.

2 – the next tRNA bonds to the next

codon at the A site.

3 – A & P are holding 2 tRNA’s…a

peptide bond is formed between 2
amino acids.
4 – tRNA detaches from P-site, leaves
behind amino acid, leaves Ribosome.

5 – tRNA at A-site moves to the P-site.

Now a new codon is ready at the A-
site for another tRNA.
6 – tRNA detaches from P-site, leaves
behind amino acid, leaves ribosome.

7 – (Steps 2 – 6 repeat until a stop

codon is reached). Ex. UAG, UAA,
UGA.
 A new protein is then released into
the cell.
Translatio
n
Translation