Cellular Control: Protein Synthesis

• Each gene is a code for the primary structure of a polypeptide.
• Sequence of bases in DNA determines the sequence of amino acids in the polypeptide (made by ribosomes in the cytoplasm)

Transcription

• DNA 'unzips' along the length of the gene.
• RNA Polymerase matches free RNA nucleotides complementary to the template strand. 
• This follows base pairing rules. 
• The other DNA strand has no part in the process. 

Movement of mRNA to Ribosomes

• When transcription is finished, the mRNA molecules move from the DNA to the ribosome in the cytoplasm. 
• In eukaryotes, mRNA moves from the nucleus where transcription occurs, through nuclear pores, to ribosomes. 

Amino Acid Activation

• Enzymes attach amino acids to…