Protein synthesis is the process by which cells create proteins. It occurs in two stages: transcription and translation. In transcription, the DNA sequence of a gene is transcribed into a complementary RNA molecule. In translation, the RNA molecule is read and used to synthesize a specific protein molecule.
During transcription, the DNA double helix unwinds and the enzyme RNA polymerase reads the gene's DNA sequence and creates a single-stranded RNA molecule with a complementary sequence. This RNA molecule is called messenger RNA, or mRNA, because it carries the information needed to synthesize the protein from the nucleus to the ribosomes in the cytoplasm.
Translation occurs at the ribosomes, which are complex structures made up of RNA and protein. The ribosomes read the nucleotide sequence of the mRNA molecule and use it to synthesize the protein. Each sequence of three nucleotides, called a codon, corresponds to a specific amino acid, the building blocks of proteins. The ribosomes read the mRNA sequence and add the corresponding amino acids in the correct order to synthesize the protein.
Protein synthesis is essential for the growth and repair of cells, as well as for the production of enzymes and hormones that are necessary for the proper functioning of the body. It is a complex process that requires the coordination of many different molecules and cellular structures.