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DNA: DNA and Protein Synthesis Overview

DNA - Master of Life

Why is that a perfect slogan for DNA?  DNA stores and transmits genetic information to direct life. Without DNA, life would not exist

How does DNA do this?  By making proteins.

It does this by making proteins.

Remember: 

The ultimate goal of DNA is to make…PROTEINS!

Module Lessons Preview

In this module, we will study the following topics:

  • Overview: Structure and Function of DNA and RNA – You will learn about the structure of both DNA and RNA and why both are important to the process of protein synthesis.
  • DNA Replication:  You will learn the steps that take place when DNA replicates
  • Protein Synthesis:  You will learn how proteins are made.
  • Mutations:  You will learn what a mutation is and what the different kinds of mutations are.
  • DNA Technology

Module Key Terms

  • Double Helix: the shape of the DNA molecule; consists of two nucleotide chains that wrap around each other to form a double spiral
  • Nucleotides: the monomer of DNA and RNA; consists of a sugar, phosphate, and a nitrogenous base (A, T, C, G, or U)
  • Adenine (A): nitrogenous base found in DNA and RNA; pairs up with T in DNA and U in RNA
  • Guanine (G): nitrogenous base found in DNA and RNA; pairs up with C in DNA and RNA
  • Cytosine (C): nitrogenous base found in DNA and RNA; pairs up with G in DNA and RNA
  • Thymine (T): nitrogenous base found only in DNA; pairs up with A in DNA
  • Uracil (U): nitrogenous base found only in RNA; pairs up with A in RNA
  • Purines: nitrogenous bases that have a double ring of carbon; Adenine and Guanine are examples
  • Pyrimidines: nitrogenous bases that have a single ring of carbon; Cytosine, Thymine, and Uracil are examples
  • Complimentary: matching, as in nitrogenous bases; A matches with T or U, while C matches with G
  • Semi-Conservative Replication: a type of replication in DNA that produces two DNA strands.  Each strand is composed of an original strand and a complementary new strand.
  • Hydrogen Bonds: the weak attraction between molecules; hydrogen bonds hold the rungs together
  • Helicase: enzyme that unwinds or unzips DNA
  • Ligase: enzyme that creates bonds between sugars and phosphates in a growing DNA or RNA strand as it is being built
  • DNA Polymerase: enzymes that can bind to a single (unwound and separated) DNA strand, read it, and synthesize a new strand of complementary DNA.
  • Protein Synthesis: the process of making proteins using the code in DNA and carried out by RNA at the ribosome
  • Messenger RNA (or mRNA): a single strand of RNA that carries the message from DNA to the ribosome.
  • Transfer RNA (or tRNA): a single strand of RNA that bonds with and carries a specific amino acid
  • Ribosomal RNA (rRNA): a type of RNA that makes up ribosomes
  • Transcription: the process of mRNA making a copy of DNA and taking it to the ribosome
  • RNA Polymerase: an enzyme used in protein synthesis (translation) that reads a DNA gene and composes a complementary mRNA strand.
  • Codon: a three-nucleotide mRNA sequence that codes for one specific amino acid
  • Start Codon: mRNA transcription begins at a specific coding sequence referred to as the start codon
  • Stop Codon: a coding sequence that signals the end of the gene being transcribed
  • Translation: translating the mRNA into amino acids; a protein is made by putting many amino acids together
  • Anticodon: one end of a tRNA molecule that contains a set of three nucleotides that will compliment codons on the mRNA strand
  • Mutations: any change in the DNA sequence
  • Point Mutation: a type of mutation that results from a change in a single nucleotide
  • Frameshift Mutation: a type of mutation that results from the addition or deletion of a nitrogen base causing the gene sequence to be nonsense
  • Mutagen: something that causes a mutation       
  • Human Genome Project: an international effort to determine all of the base pairs of the human genome
  • DNA Fingerprinting: scientists utilize the genetic “fingerprints” where DNA is broken into pieces and examined for patterns
  • Gene Therapy: treats a genetic disorder by introducing a gene into a cell or by correcting a defect in a cell’s genome          
  • Genetic Engineering: used to identify genes for specific traits or to transfer genes from one organism to another.  It involves creating recombinant DNA in a lab.
  • Recombinant DNA: a combination of DNA from two or more sources
  • Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs): any organism whose DNA has been modified by genetic engineering
  • Cloning: any number of techniques used to create a genetic copy of an organism