Protein Synthesis
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课程笔记
Transcription: Making mRNA
- Transcription is the first stage of protein synthesis, occurring in the nucleus.
- Part of the DNA molecule unwinds and hydrogen bonds between complementary bases break, exposing the gene to be transcribed.
- Free RNA nucleotides pair with complementary bases on the template strand of DNA.
- RNA polymerase bonds the sugar-phosphate groups of RNA nucleotides to form the mRNA backbone.
- The mRNA molecule is a single-stranded copy of the gene, complementary to the template strand.
- After transcription, hydrogen bonds between mRNA and DNA break, and the DNA double helix re-forms.
- mRNA leaves the nucleus through a nuclear pore and moves into the cytoplasm.
- DNA is too large to leave the nucleus, so mRNA acts as a messenger carrying the genetic code.
Protein synthesis

Complementary Base Pairing in Transcription
- In RNA, adenine pairs with uracil (not thymine), and cytosine pairs with guanine.
- The DNA strand that carries the genetic code is the coding strand; the opposite strand is the template strand.
- The template strand is transcribed to produce mRNA, which is complementary to it.
- Example: DNA template strand TAC GGA AGA CTT GGG produces mRNA AUG CCU UCU GAA CCC.
- RNA polymerase is the enzyme for transcription; DNA polymerase is for DNA replication — do not confuse them.
Translation: Synthesising Polypeptides
- Translation takes place in the cytoplasm and uses the genetic code on mRNA to build a polypeptide.
- mRNA attaches to a ribosome, which is made of a large and small subunit and ribosomal RNA (rRNA).
- The mRNA binds to the small subunit; two tRNA molecules can bind to the large subunit simultaneously.
- tRNA molecules carry specific amino acids to the mRNA on the ribosome.
- The anticodon on tRNA pairs with a complementary codon on mRNA.
- A peptide bond forms by condensation between adjacent amino acids, requiring ATP.
- The ribosome moves along the mRNA one codon at a time until a stop codon is reached.
- The completed amino acid chain is released from the ribosome and forms the final polypeptide.
Codons, Anticodons and tRNA Structure
- A triplet is a sequence of three DNA bases that codes for a specific amino acid.
- A codon is a sequence of three mRNA bases that codes for a specific amino acid.
- An anticodon is a sequence of three tRNA bases complementary to a codon.
- The anticodon is located at the bottom of the tRNA molecule and consists of three exposed RNA bases.
- tRNA molecules bind to their specific amino acids before participating in translation.
- tRNA-activating enzymes attach amino acids to their corresponding tRNA molecules.
- Complementary base pairing between mRNA codons and tRNA anticodons ensures the correct amino acid sequence.
- Example: if an mRNA codon is CAG, the complementary tRNA anticodon is GUC.
Features of the Genetic Code
- The genetic code is a triplet code: each sequence of three bases codes for one amino acid.
- There are 20 different amino acids used to make proteins.
- The code is non-overlapping: each base is read only once as part of a codon.
- There are 64 possible codons (4³) but only 20 amino acids, so the code is degenerate (multiple codons can code for the same amino acid).
- The genetic code is universal: almost all organisms use the same code, enabling genetic engineering.
- Some triplets code for start (TAC – methionine) and stop signals, marking where genes begin and end.
- Degeneracy can limit the effect of mutations because a change in the third base may still code for the same amino acid.
Deducing Amino Acid Sequences
- To deduce an amino acid sequence from a DNA coding strand, first work out the template strand using complementary base pairing (A-T, C-G).
- Then work out the mRNA codons, complementary to the template strand (A-U, C-G).
- Use an mRNA codons and amino acids table to identify the amino acid for each codon.
- Example: DNA coding strand TTC GAG CAT TAC GCC gives mRNA UUC GAG CAU UAC GCC, which codes for Phe-Glu-His-Tyr-Ala.
- The number of amino acids can be calculated by dividing the number of mRNA nucleotides by 3.
Gene Expression and DNA Stability
- The human genome contains approximately 20,000 protein-coding genes.
- Not every protein is needed in every cell; gene expression switches genes on or off.
- Genes that are expressed are 'switched on' and undergo transcription and translation.
- Genes that are not expressed are 'switched off' or silenced.
- Transcription is a key stage at which gene expression can be controlled.
- DNA is very stable due to hydrogen bonds between bases and strong phosphodiester bonds between nucleotides.
- This stability allows DNA strands to act as reliable templates over generations of cell replication.
Protein Structure and Mutations
- A gene mutation is a change in the base sequence of DNA, which may result in a new allele.
- Mutations occur randomly and are copying errors during DNA replication in S phase of interphase.
- Mutations in body cells are not inherited; mutations in gametes are inherited by offspring.
- Most mutations are harmful or neutral, but some can be beneficial.
- A point mutation alters one base and can change a single amino acid in the polypeptide.
- Sickle cell disease is caused by a point mutation: DNA triplet GAG changes to GTG on the coding strand.
- This results in mRNA codon GUG instead of GAG, so valine replaces glutamic acid at position 6 of the β-globin chain.
- The altered haemoglobin (HbS) distorts red blood cells into a sickle shape, reducing oxygen capacity and blocking capillaries.
The sickle cell mutation

Effects of Sickle Cell Mutation
- Sickle-shaped red blood cells have a limited oxygen-carrying capacity.
- They can block capillaries and limit the flow of normal red blood cells.
- People with sickle cell anaemia suffer from acute pain, fatigue and anaemia.
- There is a correlation between the global distribution of sickle cell disease and malaria.
- In areas with high malaria incidence, the sickle cell allele is more frequent, likely due to increased resistance to the malaria parasite in heterozygotes.
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练习题
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1.In which part of the cell does transcription occur?
Easy- ANucleus
- BCytoplasm
- CRibosome
- DMitochondria
2.Which enzyme is responsible for catalysing the formation of the sugar-phosphate backbone of mRNA during transcription?
Easy- ADNA polymerase
- BRNA polymerase
- CtRNA-activating enzyme
- DHelicase
3.Which of the following correctly describes the role of the ribosome in protein synthesis?
Easy- AIt catalyses the formation of peptide bonds between amino acids
- BIt transcribes DNA into mRNA
- CIt carries amino acids to the mRNA
- DIt unwinds the DNA double helix
4.A tRNA molecule has the anticodon UAC. Which mRNA codon will it pair with?
Medium- AAUG
- BTAC
- CUAC
- DATG
5.Which of the following statements about the genetic code are correct? (select all that apply)
Medium- AIt is degenerate, meaning multiple codons can code for the same amino acid.
- BIt is non-overlapping, meaning each base is read only once.
- CIt is universal, meaning almost all organisms use the same code.
- DIt is overlapping, meaning each base is read multiple times.
- EIt contains 64 codons, each coding for a different amino acid.
6.The genetic code is degenerate, meaning that a single amino acid can be coded for by more than one codon.
EasyTrue or false?
7.During translation, the mRNA molecule is used as a template to synthesise a polypeptide chain.
EasyTrue or false?
8.Match each term with its correct definition.
Medium- Codon
- Anticodon
- Triplet
- A sequence of three mRNA bases that codes for a specific amino acid
- A sequence of three tRNA bases that are complementary to a codon
- A sequence of three DNA bases that codes for a specific amino acid
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