Biochemistry

FIRST YEAR - FINAL TERM MRS. CECILIA VILLANUEVA 11/2021 - 01/2022

Protein Synthesis

DNA Replication
• DNA must be copied
• The DNA molecule produces 2 IDENTICAL new
complementary strands following the rules of base
pairing: A-T, G-C
• Each strand of the original DNA serves as a template for
the new strand.

• Semiconservative Model:
• Watson and Crick showed: the two strands of the parental
molecule separate, and each functions as a template for
synthesis of a new complementary strand.

1. Why is replication necessary?

So, both new cells will have the correct DNA
2. When does replication occur?
During interphase (S phase).
3. Describe how replication works.
Enzymes unzip DNA and complementary nucleotides
join each original strand.
4. Use the complementary rule to create the Transcription & Translation
complementary strand:
A---T
G---C
C---G
T---A
A---T
G---C
A---T
G---C
C---G
A---T
G---C
T---A

Protein Synthesis

Transcription (DNA → mRNA)

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 Biochemistry
FIRST YEAR - FINAL TERM MRS. CECILIA VILLANUEVA 11/2021 - 01/2022
Protein Synthesis

• DNA can “unzip” itself and RNA nucleotides match up • introns are cut out of RNA molecules while they are
to the DNA strand. still in the nucleus.
• RNA molecules are produced by copying part of the • exons are then spliced back together to form the final
nucleotide sequence of DNA into a complementary mRNA.
sequence in RNA
• required enzyme = RNA polymerase
• RNA polymerase binds to DNA (in nucleus) and
separates the DNA strands
• RNA polymerase then uses one strand of DNA as a
template
• nucleotides are assembled into a strand of mRNA

The Genetic Code

• Proteins = long chains of amino acids (polypeptides)
• Polypeptide = combination of any or all the 20
different amino acids
• properties of proteins are determined by the order in
which different amino acids are joined together to
produce polypeptides.
• The “language” of mRNA instructions is called the
genetic code
• RNA contains four different bases: A, U,
• C, and G
• Letters read “3” at a time = codon
• Codon = a group of three nucleotides on messenger
RNA that specify a
• particular amino acid.

Where does RNA start?

• enzyme will bind only to regions of DNA known as
promoters
• promoters are signals in DNA that indicate to the
enzyme where to bind to make RNA (“start
sequence”).
• Similar signals in DNA cause transcription to stop
when the new RNA molecule is completed.

RNA Editing
• Intron = intervening sequence of DNA; does not code Translation
for a protein (mRNA→ tRNA →amino acid chain)
• Exon = expressed sequence of DNA; codes for a • Occurs at the Ribosome
protein • mRNA = instructions for the order of the amino acid
• When RNA molecules are formed, both the introns sequence
and the exons are copied from the DNA. • Ribosome = reads the instructions of the mRNA
• The cell uses information from “messenger” RNA to
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 Biochemistry
FIRST YEAR - FINAL TERM MRS. CECILIA VILLANUEVA 11/2021 - 01/2022
Protein Synthesis

produce proteins.

• The ribosome forms peptide bonds between the

neighboring amino acids
• It also breaks the bonds between tRNA and the amino
acids
• Translation ends when a “stop” codon is reached

Steps of Translation
1. mRNA is released from the nucleus → enters
cytoplasm
2. mRNA attaches to the ribosome
3. mRNA codons move through the ribosome → proper
amino acid brought by tRNA
4. Amino acids are bound together → polypeptide chain.
5. Each tRNA carries only one type of amino acid.
6. The three bases on tRNA = anticodon (complementary
to mRNA)

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 Biochemistry
FIRST YEAR - FINAL TERM MRS. CECILIA VILLANUEVA 11/2021 - 01/2022
Protein Synthesis

Transcription/Translation
1. Why is transcription necessary?
Transcription makes messenger RNA (MRNA) to carry
the code for proteins out of the nucleus to the
ribosomes in the cytoplasm.
2. Describe transcription.
RNA polymerase binds to DNA, separates the strands,
then uses one strand as a template to assemble MRNA.
3. Why is translation necessary?
Translation assures that the right amino acids are DNA
joined together by peptides to form the correct protein. elongation
4. Describe translation.
The cell uses information from MRNA to produce
proteins. DNA RNA
5. What are the main differences between DNA and
RNA? Difference: 1. Found in 4. Found in nucleus
DNA has deoxyribose, RNA has ribose; DNA has 2 nucleus and cytoplasm
strands, RNA has one strand; DNA has thymine, RNA 2. sugar is 5. sugar is ribose.
has uracil. deoxyribos 6. Bases are A, U,
6. Using the chart, identify the amino acids coded for e C,G
by these codons: UGG CAG UGC 3. Bases are A,
tryptophan-glutamine-cysteine T, C,G
Bases & DNA is a long RNA is a polymer with a
Sugars: polymer with a ribose and phosphate
deoxyribose and backbone and four
phosphate different bases: adenine,
backbone and four guanine, cytosine, and
different bases: uracil
adenine, guanine,
cytosine and
thymine

Definition: A nucleic acid that RNA, single-stranded

contains the genetic chain of alternating
instructions used in phosphate and ribose
The Chemistry of the development units with the bases
and functioning of adenine, guanine,
DNA replication
all known living cytosine, and uracil
organisms bonded to the ribose.
RNA molecules are
involved in protein
synthesis and sometimes
in the transmission of
genetic information.
Job/Role Medium of long- The main job of RNA is to
: term storage and transfer the genetic code
transmission of need for the creation of
genetic information proteins from the nucleus
to the ribosome. this
DNA elongation process prevents the DNA
from having to leave the
nucleus, so it stays safe.
Without RNA, proteins
could never be made.
Stands for: Deoxyribonucleic Ribonucleic Acid
Acid

DNA RNA

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 Biochemistry
FIRST YEAR - FINAL TERM MRS. CECILIA VILLANUEVA 11/2021 - 01/2022
Protein Synthesis

Stands for: Deoxyribonucleic Ribonucleic Acid • UAA, UGA, & UAG on mRNA signal ribosomes to
Acid stop linking amino acids together

Predominant Typically, a double- A single-stranded

What amino acids are made?
Structure: stranded molecule molecule in most of • Use the mRNA strand on the Genetic Code Chart
with a long chain of its biological roles • DNA: TAC AAA CAC GGA CCA ACT
nucleotides and has a shorter • (Sense strand)
chain of Nucleotides • mRNA: AUG UUU GUG CCU GGU UGA
Pairing of A-T(Adenine- A-U(Adenine-Uracil), • tRNA: UAC AAA CAC GGA CCA ACU
Bases: Thymine), G- G-C(Guanine- • Amino acids: Methionine – Phenylalanine –
C(Guanine-Cytosine) Cytosine) • Valine - Proline -Glycine - STOP
Stability: Deoxyribose sugar in Ribose sugar is more
DNA is reactive because of
less reactive because C-OH (hydroxyl)
of C-H bonds. bonds.
Stable in alkaline Not stable in alkaline
Amino Acid 3 Letter Abbreviation Codons
conditions. DNA has conditions.
smaller grooves RNA on the other Alanine Ala GCA GCC GCG GCU
where the damaging hand has larger
Arginine Arg AGA AGG CGA CGC
enzyme can attach grooves which makes
CGG CGU
which makes it it easier to be
harder for the attacked by enzymes. Aspartic Acid Asp GAC GAU
enzyme to attack
DNA. Asparagine Asn AAC AAU

Cysteine Cys UGC UGU

Unique The helix geometry of The helix geometry Glutamic Acid Glu GAA GAG
Features: DNA is of B-Form. of RNA is of A-Form.
DNA is RNA strands are Glutamine Gln CAA CAG
completely protected continually made,
by the broken down and Glycine Gly GGA GGC GGG GGU
body i.e., the body reused. RNA is more Histidine His CAC CAU
destroys enzymes resistant
that cleave DNA. to damage by Ultra- Isoleucine Ile AUA AUC AUU
DNA can be damaged violet rays.
by exposure to Ultra- Leucine Leu UUA UUG CUA CUC
violet rays CUG CUU
Lysine Lys AAA AAG

Methionine Met AUG

REVIEW on DNA
1. List the conclusions Griffith & Avery, Hershey & Phenylalanine Phe UUC UUU
Chase drew from their experiments.
Proline Pro CCA CCC CCG CCU
2. Summarize the relationship between genes & DNA.
3. Describe the overall structure of the DNA molecule.
Serine Ser AGC AGU UCA UCC
4. What are the 4 kinds of bases?
UCG UCU
5. Why is DNA wrapped so tightly in a chromosome?
6. How are genes, proteins, DNA, and traits related? Threonine Thr ACA ACC ACG ACU

Tryptophan Trp UGG

Amino Acids
• 20 exist- Linked together in a process called protein Tyrosine Tyr UAC UAU
synthesis in the cytoplasm to make polypeptides
(subunits of proteins) Valine Val GUA GUC GUG
• DNA contains the instructions for making proteins but GUU
is too large to leave the nucleus Start AUG
• Three consecutive bases on DNA called a triplet (e.g.,
TCG, ATG, ATT) Stop UAA UAG UGA
• mRNA codon table tells what 3 bases on mRNA code
for each amino acid (64 combinations of 3 bases)
• Methionine (AUG) on mRNA is called the start codon DNA Codon mRNA Codon tRNA Anticodon Amino Acid
because it triggers the linking of amino acids

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 Biochemistry
FIRST YEAR - FINAL TERM MRS. CECILIA VILLANUEVA 11/2021 - 01/2022
Protein Synthesis

GCU
TAC
AUU

UUU
TCA
UCU
CTT
ACU
ACU
DNA Codon mRNA Codon tRNA Anticodon Amino Acid

CGA

TAC
AUU

AAA

TCA

UCU

GAA

TAG

ACU