RNA

Ribonucleic Acid

Structure of RNA
Single stranded Ribose Sugar 5 carbon sugar Phosphate group Adenine, Uracil, Cytosine, Guanine

Types of RNA
Three main types Messenger RNA mRNA! " trans#ers $NA code to ribosomes #or translation% Trans#er RNA tRNA! " brings amino acids to ribosomes #or protein synthesis% Ribosomal RNA rRNA! " Ribosomes are made o# rRNA and protein%

Transcription
RNA molecules are produced by copying part o# the nucleotide se&uence o# $NA into complementary se&uence in RNA, a process called transcription% $uring transcription, RNA polymerase binds to $NA and separates the $NA strands% RNA polymerase then uses one strand o# $NA as a template #rom 'hich nucleotides are assembled into a strand o# mRNA%

mRNA

How Does it Work?

RNA Polymerase loo(s #or a region on the $NA (no'n as a promoter, 'here it binds and begins transcription% RNA strands are then edited% Some parts are remo)ed introns! * 'hich are not e+pressed " and other that are le#t are called e+ons or e+pressed genes%

The Genetic Code

This is the language o# mRNA% ,ased on the - bases o# mRNA% ./ords0 are 1 RNA se&uences called codons% The strand aaacguucgccc 'ould be separated as aaa*cgu*ucg*ccc the amino acids 'ould then be 2ysine " Arginine " Serine * Proline

Genetic Codes

Translation
$uring translation, the cell uses in#ormation #rom messenger RNA to produce proteins% A " Transcription occurs in nucleus% , " mRNA mo)es to the cytoplasm then to the ribosomes% tRNA .read0 the mRNA and obtain the amino acid coded #or% C " Ribosomes attach amino acids together #orming a polypeptide chain% $ " Polypeptide chain (eeps gro'ing until a stop codon is reached%

Translation to

rotein

Translation

!utations
Gene mutations result #rom changes in a single gene% Chromosomal mutations in)ol)e changes 'hole chromosomes%

Gene !utation
Point Mutation " A##ect one nucleotide thus occurring at a single point on the gene% Usually one nucleotide is substituted #or another nucleotide% 3rameshi#t Mutation " Inserting an e+tra nucleotide or deleting a nucleotide causes the entire code to .shi#t0%

Gene !utation

Chromosomal !utations
$eletion " Part o# a chromosome is deleted $uplication " part o# a chromosome is duplicated 4n)ersion " chromosome t'ists and in)erts the code% Translocation " Genetic in#ormation is traded bet'een nonhomologous chromosomes%

Chromosomal !utations

!utations

!ore !utations

Gene Re"ulation
4n simple cells pro(aryotic! lac genes 'hich are controlled by stimuli, turn genes on and o##% 4n comple+ cells eu(aryotic! this process is not as simple% Promoter se&uences regulate gene operation%

Re#iew