The genetic code and protein synthesis
| English | Chinese | Pinyin |
|---|---|---|
| gene | 基因 | jī yīn |
| transcription | 转录 | zhuǎn lù |
| translation | 翻译 | fān yì |
| triplet | 三联体 | sān lián tǐ |
| degenerate | 简并 | jiǎn bìng |
| exon | 外显子 | wài xiǎn zi |
| intron | 内含子 | nèi hán zi |
| codon | 密码子 | mì mǎ zi |
| anticodon | 反密码子 | fǎn mì mǎ zi |
From gene 基因 to protein
- A gene is a length of DNA that codes for one polypeptide.
- The cell reads the code in two stages: transcription 转录, then translation 翻译.
- First, let's crack the code itself.
A gene is a sequence of DNA that codes for:
A gene is a length of DNA that codes for a single polypeptide.
The genetic code
- The code is read in triplets 三联体 — groups of three bases.
- Each triplet codes for one amino acid, or signals start/stop.
- It is universal (nearly all life uses the same triplets) and degenerate 简并: there are 64 triplets but only 20 amino acids, so most amino acids have more than one triplet.
Protein synthesis: transcription then translation
From gene to protein
Step through the central dogma: the DNA template is transcribed into mRNA by base pairing (A→U, T→A, G→C, C→G), then read in codons and translated into a chain of amino acids.
The genetic code is "degenerate", which means:
There are 64 possible triplets but only 20 common amino acids, so most amino acids have several triplets.
A group of three mRNA bases that codes for one amino acid is called a ______.
Three bases = one codon (triplet); the matching three bases on a tRNA are its anticodon.
Transcription (in the nucleus)
- The gene is copied into mRNA.
- The DNA strand copied is the template strand; RNA polymerase joins RNA nucleotides that pair with it (uracil pairs with adenine).
- In eukaryotes the first transcript has coding exons 外显子 and non-coding introns 内含子 — the introns are removed and the exons joined to make the finished mRNA.
Introns are cut out and the coding exons spliced together to make the mature mRNA
During transcription:
Transcription makes mRNA from the DNA template strand, catalysed by RNA polymerase, in the nucleus.
In a eukaryote, the non-coding introns are removed and the coding exons joined before the mRNA leaves the nucleus.
This splicing produces the mature mRNA — introns out, exons joined.
Translation (at the ribosome)
- The mRNA leaves the nucleus and attaches to a ribosome.
- It is read in codons 密码子 (one triplet of mRNA bases at a time).
- tRNA molecules bring amino acids; each has an anticodon 反密码子 that pairs with the matching codon.
- The ribosome joins the amino acids with peptide bonds, building the polypeptide.
Put the steps from gene to protein in order.
Transcription (nucleus) → splice → mRNA out → translation (ribosome) → protein.
Match each term to its meaning.
Transcription writes the message (mRNA); translation reads it (protein); codon/anticodon pair at the ribosome.
During translation, tRNA molecules:
Each tRNA carries an amino acid and has an anticodon that pairs with a matching mRNA codon at the ribosome.
You've got it
- a gene codes for one polypeptide; the code is read in triplets (universal + degenerate: 64 → 20)
- transcription (nucleus): DNA template → mRNA by RNA polymerase; introns removed, exons joined
- translation (ribosome): codons read; tRNA anticodons bring amino acids
- amino acids joined by peptide bonds into the polypeptide