DNA and Protein Synthesis

DNA and Protein Synthesis

• DNA contains the genetic instructions for protein synthesis
• The sequence of nucleotides in DNA determines the sequence of amino acids in a protein
• DNA acts as a template for the synthesis of a complementary RNA molecule, which then carries the genetic information to the ribosomes

Protein Synthesis

• The sequence of nucleotides in DNA is transcribed into a sequence of nucleotides in RNA
• The RNA molecule then travels to the ribosomes, where the sequence of nucleotides is translated into a sequence of amino acids
• Amino acids are linked together to form a polypeptide chain, which then folds into a specific 3D structure to form a functional protein

Mutation in DNA Sequence

• A mutation in the DNA sequence encoding a protein can alter the sequence of amino acids in the protein
• This can lead to changes in the protein's structure, function, or both
• Some mutations can result in a non-functional protein, while others can lead to a protein with altered or new functions

DNA Polymerases

• The primary function of DNA polymerases is to synthesize new DNA strands by adding nucleotides to a primer sequence
• DNA polymerases ensure that the new DNA strand is complementary to the template strand

Helicase

• The primary function of helicase is to unwind the double helix structure of DNA during replication
• Helicase breaks the hydrogen bonds between the two strands, creating a replication fork

Ribosomal RNA (rRNA)

• The primary function of rRNA is to provide the structural framework for the ribosome
• rRNA plays a crucial role in the translation of mRNA into a protein sequence
• rRNA acts as a scaffold for the assembly of amino acids into a polypeptide chain