N5S3 - Protein Synthesis - 1.7

Question 1

Define the term “mRNA”

Answer 1

Messenger RNA (mRNA) is a molecule that carries a complementary copy of the genetic code from the DNA in the nucleus, to a ribosome, where the protein is made from amino acids.

Question 2

Define the role of proteins in cells

Answer 2

Proteins help in determining the characteristics of specialised cells and whole organisms.

Question 3

Describe what proteins are made of

Answer 3

Proteins are made from amino acids and there are 20 different types.

Question 4

State which structure makes the proteins out of amino acids

Answer 4

Ribosome
(outside the nucleus in the cytoplasm)

Question 5

Is mRNA a single stranded molecule or a double stranded one?

Answer 5

mRNA is a single stranded molecule

Question 6

Describe how protein synthesis OCCURS

Answer 6

mRNA is a complementary sequence of bases from the DNA. It travels to the ribosome where the amino acids are arranged into the correct order for the protein coded for by that gene.

Question 7

Describe the PROCESS of making proteins

Answer 7

Proteins are made up of amino acids joined end to end. The final protein folds into a specific 3D shape, which is decided by the order of amino acids in the chain. The 3D shape of the protein decides its overall function.

AAs - amino acids