Question

Proteins are synthesized based on genetic information carried by DNA. Explain how the structure of DNA is important in the synthesis of different kinds of proteins. In your explanation, include a description of the two main processes involved in protein synthesis.

Answer 1

Proteins are synthesized based on the genetic information carried by DNA. The structure of DNA is important in the synthesis of different kinds of proteins because it contains the instructions to assemble amino acids in a specific order. The two main processes involved in protein synthesis are transcription and translation.

Step-by-step explanation:

Proteins are synthesized based on the genetic information carried by DNA. The structure of DNA is important in the synthesis of different kinds of proteins because it contains the instructions to assemble amino acids in a specific order. Each gene provides the code necessary to construct a particular protein. There are two main processes involved in protein synthesis: transcription and translation.

Transcription is the process in which a strand of DNA is copied into a complementary strand of mRNA. This happens in the nucleus of the cell. The mRNA then carries the genetic information to the ribosomes in the cytoplasm.

Translation is the process in which the genetic information carried by mRNA is used to assemble amino acids into a protein. It takes place on the ribosomes in the cytoplasm. Each three-nucleotide sequence on the mRNA, called a codon, codes for a specific amino acid. Transfer RNA (tRNA) molecules, which carry the amino acids, bind to the codons on the mRNA and bring the appropriate amino acids to the ribosome. The amino acids are then joined together to form a polypeptide chain, which folds into a functional protein.