Answer: The active genes produce mRNA, which serves as a template for protein synthesis. The mRNA molecules carry the genetic instructions to the ribosomes, where the instructions are translated into a sequence of amino acids. The resulting proteins can then influence cell behavior in various ways depending on the specific roles they play in the type of cell involved.
Step-by-step explanation:
The active genes make molecules of RNA called messenger RNA (mRNA). These molecules serve as templates or instructions for the synthesis of specific proteins. The process by which proteins are synthesized from mRNA is called protein synthesis or translation.
Here is a step-by-step explanation:
1. Active Genes: Genes are segments of DNA that contain the instructions for making proteins. When a gene is "active," it means that it is being transcribed into RNA.
2. RNA Synthesis: The active genes produce molecules of messenger RNA (mRNA) through a process called transcription. mRNA is a single-stranded molecule that carries the genetic information from the gene to the protein synthesis machinery.
3. Protein Synthesis: Once the mRNA is produced, it moves out of the cell's nucleus and into the cytoplasm, where protein synthesis occurs. Ribosomes, which are cellular structures, read the genetic instructions encoded in the mRNA.
4. Translation: The ribosomes "translate" the genetic code carried by the mRNA into a specific sequence of amino acids. Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins.
5. Protein Formation: As the ribosome moves along the mRNA, it links together the amino acids in the correct order, forming a polypeptide chain. The polypeptide chain then folds into its functional shape, resulting in a fully formed protein.
6. Protein Function: The proteins synthesized can influence cell behavior in different ways. The specific functions of proteins depend on the type of cell involved. Proteins can act as enzymes, structural components, transport molecules, signaling molecules, or regulators of gene expression, among other roles.