Chapter 7: DNA and

it’s replication
The Structure of DNA
Learning Intentions
•Extract DNA from strawberries
•Describe the structure of DNA
Think, Pair, Share

What do you
already know
about DNA?
 DNA Structure

• Deoxyribo Nucleic Acid

• One molecule of DNA, consists of
• 2 strands of repeating units called
nucleotides
• The 2 strands are twisted into a double
helix
 DNA: The monomers

• Deoxyribonucleic acid
• Made up of lots of nucleotides joined
together.

Phosphate A nitrogenous base

Ribose sugar (RNA)

Deoxyribose sugar (DNA)
 DNA: The bases

There are 4 different bases

• Guanine
• Cytosine
• Adenine
• Thymine

Adenine and Guanine are Purine bases.

Cytosine, Thymine and Uracil are Pyramidine bases.
DNA: The sugar phosphate backbone
DNA is a polymer of mononucleotides.
Mononucleotides join together between the
phosphate of one nucleotide and the
phosphate group of the adjoining nucleotide.

Really strong bond

DNA: A polynucleotide
The sugar and phosphate units
make up the “backbone” of the
nucleic acid.

one nucleotide

A base is attached to each sugar

molecule.
 DNA: Base pairing
• The two strands of the double helix are held
together by hydrogen bonds between the bases.
• Hydrogen bonds are singularly very weak but
collectively can be very strong.
 DNA: Specific base pairing

In DNA Adenine always pairs with Thymine

(A-T)

In DNA Guanine always pairs with Cytosine (C-

G)
DNA: Complementary base pairing

Adenine pairs with Thymine

A T

Guanine pairs with Cytosine

G C

T A
A and T are complimentary base pairs.

C G
C and G are complimentary base pairs.

T A
Double helix structure of
DNA
3D model of DNA double helix
 What is the function of DNA
• Heredity material responsible for passing genetic
information from cell to cell.

How is it adapted to do its job?

• Stable
• 2 strands can separate so it can self-replicate.
• Large molecule that carries LOTS of information
• Base pairing prevents corruption from outside
chemicals or physical forces.
DNA: The Watson and Crick Hypothesis

Rosalind Franklin IN the

early 1950’s showed that
phosphate groups of DNA
must lie on the outside of
the molecule.

•Watson and Crick put

forward the possible
structure of DNA in 1953.
They were awarded a Nobel
prize in 1962.
 Questions
1. What elements is DNA made of?
2. What are the monomer units called in DNA?
3. Name the 3 parts of this monomer unit?
4. Which bases form complimentary base pairs?
5. What holds the 2 strands of DNA together?
6. If the base sequence on 1 strand of DNA is
GTTACCGTA what would the sequence be on
the other strand
7. If 19.9% of the base pairs in DNA are
Guanine, what percentage is Thymine
8. Why is DNA suited to do its job?
 DNA Replication
Learning Intentions
•Describe how DNA replicates.
•Explain why the importance of DNA
replication to living organisms
 When does a DNA molecule
need to replicate?
• Before a cell divides DNA is replicated.
• This occurs during interphase of Mitosis
and Meiosis.
• This is so when a cell divides the two
daughter cells will contain the correct
amount of genetic material.
 A T

C G

G C
The original
C G DNA molecule
has unwound…
A T

C G

A T

T A
 A T

C
G

G C
An enzyme
C
G causes the 2
strands of
A T
DNA to
C
G
separate…….

A T

T
A
 A T
C
G
G C
C
G
A T
C
G
A T
T
A
 A T
C
G
G C
C
G
A T
C
G
A T
T
A
 A T
C
G
G C
C
G
A T
C
G
A T
T
A
T
A
C
G
 free nucleotides in
the nucleoplasm
A T are attracted to
C
their
G complementary
G base pairs.
C
C
G
A T
C
G
A T
T
A
T
A
C
G
 A T
C
G
G C
C
G
A T
C
G G
A T
T T A
A
A
T
C
 A T

C
G

G C
C
G G
C
A T
C T A
G G
C
A T
T T A
A A
T
 A T
T
C A
G
G
C
G C
C G
C
G G
C
A T
C T A

G G
C
A T
T T A
A A
T
 A T
A
C T
G
G
C
G C
C G
C
G G
C
A T
T A
C
G G
C
A T
T T A

A A
T
 A T
A
C T
G
G
C
G C
C G
C
G G
C
A T
T A
C
G The strong G
A sugar C
T
T T phosphate A

A
back bone is A
re-joined by T
DNA
polymerase
 A T
A
C T
G
G
C
G C
C G
C
G G
C
A T
T A
C
G G
A …forming 2 C
T
T T identical A

A
strands of A
DNA…. T
 A T
A
C T
G
G
C
G C
C G
C
G G
C
A T
T A
C
G G
A …because C
T
T T the strands A

A each contain A
half of the T
original
material…
 A T
A
C T
G
G
C
G C
C G
C
G G
C
A T
T A
C
G G
A …it is called C
T
T T the semi- A

A
conservative A
method of T
replication.
 Tasks
Write the statements from the following
slide onto your replication diagram to
illustrate the key processes!
Two new DNA molecules are formed by semi-conservative
replication. Each DNA molecule consists of one parent
strand and a new strand.

The DNA molecule unwinds and hydrogen bonds between

the bases are broken causing it to unzip.

DNA polymerase joins the strong chemical bond between

the sugar and the phosphate molecules of adjoining
nucleotides on the new strand of DNA.

An enzyme rewinds the double helix

The free nucleotides pair up with their complementary

base pair on the original strand of DNA

Free nucleotides in the nucleoplasm

 The two DNA strands will coil up and become
identical chromatids held together by a centromere.
The quantity of genetic material in the cell doubles
but the chromosome number remains the same.

Chromatid Centromere

4 Chromosomes 4 Chromosomes
 Essay Homework
Write notes on:
(i) the structure of DNA (6)
(ii) DNA replication (3)
and its importance.(1)
 Marking Scheme
DNA structure
1.double helix (not one strand coiled into double helix)
2.two chains/strands of nucleotides
3.deoxyribose sugar, phosphate and base make up a
nucleotide
4.nucleotides joined together by sugar - phosphate
bonds OR sugar and phosphate joined to form
backbones/chains/strands (of nucleotides)
5.base names (all four)
6.complementary bases pair (to join strands) OR
description – letters acceptable A-T and G-C
7.(weak) hydrogen bonding between bases
Maximum 6
 Replication
1. the molecule unwinds/uncoils/untwists AND
unzips/H bonds (between bases) break
2. base pairing of (free) DNA nucleotides with
complementary partners
3. sugar-phosphate bonds/backbones form
4. rewinds into two double helices OR two
double helices form
5. requires enzymes/named enzyme(s) OR ATP
(not energy)
Max 3 Marks
 Importance

identical OR exactly the same

DNA/molecules/copies produced
ensures daughter/new cells have
complete/correct/all/the same genetic
information/genes/chromosomes
Max 1 Mark
 Protein synthesis:
Transcription
Learning Intentions
•Identify the differences between RNA
and DNA
•Describe the process of Transcription
What is the function of DNA?
The function of
DNA is to code for
proteins.
Not all of the DNA
molecule codes for
proteins.
The functional part
of DNA that can is
known as a Gene
 RNA
Genes are instructions to build a
protein.
Unfortunately the DNA that contains
the genes can’t leave the nucleus.
So a copy of the gene must be made.
This copy is known as Messenger RNA
or mRNA.
RNA is another type of nucleic acid
 RNA
Ribo nucleic acid
Structurally
different in 3
ways from DNA.
What are the
differences?
 Transcription

Transcription is the name of the

process in which a copy of DNA is made.
The copy is known as messenger RNA
This process occurs in the nucleus of
the cell
The DNA in the nucleus is first unwound….

ATTTTATCGCCCTGCTAGCTGGGCAT
TAAAATAGCGGGACGATCGACCCGTA
The weak hydrogen bonds between the bases are broken…..

ATTTTATCGCCCTGCTAGCTGGGCAT

TAAAATAGCGGGACGATCGACCCGTA
The weak hydrogen bonds between the bases are broken…..

ATTTTATCGCCCTGCTAGCTGGGCAT

TAAAATAGCGGGACGATCGACCCGTA
This causes the two strands of DNA to separate.

ATTTTATCGCCCTGCTAGCTGGGCAT

TAAAATAGCGGGACGATCGACCCGTA
Free RNA nucleotides in the nucleoplasm find their
complementary base pair on the DNA…….

ATTTTATCGCCCTGCTAGCTGGGCAT
U

TAAAATAGCGGGACGATCGACCCGTA
Free RNA nucleotides in the nucleoplasm find their
complementary base pair on the DNA…….

ATTTTATCGCCCTGCTAGCTGGGCAT
UA

TAAAATAGCGGGACGATCGACCCGTA
Free RNA nucleotides in the nucleoplasm find their
complementary base pair on the DNA…….

ATTTTATCGCCCTGCTAGCTGGGCAT
U AA

TAAAATAGCGGGACGATCGACCCGTA
A hydrogen bond forms between the RNA nuclotide base
and the complementary base on the DNA.

ATTTTATCGCCCTGCTAGCTGGGCAT
U AAA

TAAAATAGCGGGACGATCGACCCGTA
A hydrogen bond forms between the RNA nuclotide base
and the complementary base on the DNA.

ATTTTATCGCCCTGCTAGCTGGGCAT
U A AAA

TAAAATAGCGGGACGATCGACCCGTA
A hydrogen bond forms between the RNA nuclotide base
and the complementary base on the DNA.

ATTTTATCGCCCTGCTAGCTGGGCAT
U A AAA U

TAAAATAGCGGGACGATCGACCCGTA
A hydrogen bond forms between the RNA nuclotide base
and the complementary base on the DNA.

ATTTTATCGCCCTGCTAGCTGGGCAT
U A AAA U A

TAAAATAGCGGGACGATCGACCCGTA
A hydrogen bond forms between the RNA nuclotide base
and the complementary base on the DNA.

ATTTTATCGCCCTGCTAGCTGGGCAT
U A AAA U AG

TAAAATAGCGGGACGATCGACCCGTA
ATTTTATCGCCCTGCTAGCTGGGCAT
U A AAA U AG C

TAAAATAGCGGGACGATCGACCCGTA
ATTTTATCGCCCTGCTAGCTGGGCAT
U A AAA U AG C G

TAAAATAGCGGGACGATCGACCCGTA
ATTTTATCGCCCTGCTAGCTGGGCAT
U A AAA U AG C G G

TAAAATAGCGGGACGATCGACCCGTA
ATTTTATCGCCCTGCTAGCTGGGCAT
U A AAA U AG C G G G

TAAAATAGCGGGACGATCGACCCGTA
ATTTTATCGCCCTGCTAGCTGGGCAT
U A AAA U AG C G G GA

TAAAATAGCGGGACGATCGACCCGTA
ATTTTATCGCCCTGCTAGCTGGGCAT
U A AAA U AG C G G GA C

TAAAATAGCGGGACGATCGACCCGTA
ATTTTATCGCCCTGCTAGCTGGGCAT
U A AAA U AG C G G GA C G

TAAAATAGCGGGACGATCGACCCGTA
ATTTTATCGCCCTGCTAGCTGGGCAT
U A AAA U AG C G G GA C G A

TAAAATAGCGGGACGATCGACCCGTA
ATTTTATCGCCCTGCTAGCTGGGCAT
U A AAA U AG C G G GA C G A U

TAAAATAGCGGGACGATCGACCCGTA
ATTTTATCGCCCTGCTAGCTGGGCAT
U A AAA U AG C G G GA C G A U C

TAAAATAGCGGGACGATCGACCCGTA
ATTTTATCGCCCTGCTAGCTGGGCAT
U A AAA U AG C G G GA C G A U C G

TAAAATAGCGGGACGATCGACCCGTA
ATTTTATCGCCCTGCTAGCTGGGCAT
U A AAA U AG C G G GA C G A U C G A

TAAAATAGCGGGACGATCGACCCGTA
ATTTTATCGCCCTGCTAGCTGGGCAT
U A AAA U AG C G G GA C G A U C G A C

TAAAATAGCGGGACGATCGACCCGTA
ATTTTATCGCCCTGCTAGCTGGGCAT
U A AAA U AG C G G GA C G A U C G A C C

TAAAATAGCGGGACGATCGACCCGTA
ATTTTATCGCCCTGCTAGCTGGGCAT
U A AAA U AG C G G GA C G A U C G A C C C

TAAAATAGCGGGACGATCGACCCGTA
ATTTTATCGCCCTGCTAGCTGGGCAT
U A AAA U AG C G G GA C G A U C G A C C C G

TAAAATAGCGGGACGATCGACCCGTA
ATTTTATCGCCCTGCTAGCTGGGCAT
U A AAA U AG C G G GA C G A U C G A C C C G U

TAAAATAGCGGGACGATCGACCCGTA
ATTTTATCGCCCTGCTAGCTGGGCAT
U A AAA U AG C G G GA C G A U C G A C C C G U A

TAAAATAGCGGGACGATCGACCCGTA
ATTTTATCGCCCTGCTAGCTGGGCAT
U A AAA U AG C G G GA C G A U C G A C C C G U A

TAAAATAGCGGGACGATCGACCCGTA

The enzyme RNA polymerase then catalyses the

formation of the strong chemical bond between the
ribose sugar and phosphate groups of adjoining RNA
nucleotides.
ATTTTATCGCCCTGCTAGCTGGGCAT
U A AAA U AG C G G GA C G A U C G A C C C G U A

TAAAATAGCGGGACGATCGACCCGTA

The enzyme RNA polymerase then catalyses the

formation of the strong chemical bond between the
ribose sugar and phosphate groups of adjoining RNA
nucleotides.
ATTTTATCGCCCTGCTAGCTGGGCAT
U A AAA U AG C G G GA C G A U C G A C C C G U A

TAAAATAGCGGGACGATCGACCCGTA

The enzyme RNA polymerase then catalyses the

formation of the strong chemical bond between the
ribose sugar and phosphate groups of adjoining RNA
nucleotides.
ATTTTATCGCCCTGCTAGCTGGGCAT
U A AAA U AG C G G GA C G A U C G A C C C G U A

TAAAATAGCGGGACGATCGACCCGTA

The enzyme RNA polymerase then catalyses the

formation of the strong chemical bond between the
ribose sugar and phosphate groups of adjoining RNA
nucleotides.
ATTTTATCGCCCTGCTAGCTGGGCAT
U A AAA U AG C G G GA C G A U C G A C C C G U A

TAAAATAGCGGGACGATCGACCCGTA

The enzyme RNA polymerase then catalyses the

formation of the strong chemical bond between the
ribose sugar and phosphate groups of adjoining RNA
nucleotides.
ATTTTATCGCCCTGCTAGCTGGGCAT
U A AAA U AG C G G GA C G A U C G A C C C G U A

TAAAATAGCGGGACGATCGACCCGTA

The enzyme RNA polymerase then catalyses the

formation of the strong chemical bond between the
ribose sugar and phosphate groups of adjoining RNA
nucleotides.
ATTTTATCGCCCTGCTAGCTGGGCAT
U A AAA U AG C G G GA C G A U C G A C C C G U A

TAAAATAGCGGGACGATCGACCCGTA

The enzyme RNA polymerase then catalyses the

formation of the strong chemical bond between the
ribose sugar and phosphate groups of adjoining RNA
nucleotides.
ATTTTATCGCCCTGCTAGCTGGGCAT
U A AAA U AG C G G GA C G A U C G A C C C G U A

TAAAATAGCGGGACGATCGACCCGTA

The enzyme RNA polymerase then catalyses the

formation of the strong chemical bond between the
ribose sugar and phosphate groups of adjoining RNA
nucleotides.
ATTTTATCGCCCTGCTAGCTGGGCAT
U A AAA U AG C G G GA C G A U C G A C C C G U A

TAAAATAGCGGGACGATCGACCCGTA

The enzyme RNA polymerase then catalyses the

formation of the strong chemical bond between the
ribose sugar and phosphate groups of adjoining RNA
nucleotides.
ATTTTATCGCCCTGCTAGCTGGGCAT
U A AAA U AG C G G GA C G A U C G A C C C G U A

TAAAATAGCGGGACGATCGACCCGTA

The enzyme RNA polymerase then catalyses the

formation of the strong chemical bond between the
ribose sugar and phosphate groups of adjoining RNA
nucleotides.
ATTTTATCGCCCTGCTAGCTGGGCAT
U A AAA U AG C G G GA C G A U C G A C C C G U A

TAAAATAGCGGGACGATCGACCCGTA

The enzyme RNA polymerase then catalyses the

formation of the strong chemical bond between the
ribose sugar and phosphate groups of adjoining RNA
nucleotides.
ATTTTATCGCCCTGCTAGCTGGGCAT
U A AAA U AG C G G GA C G A U C G A C C C G U A

TAAAATAGCGGGACGATCGACCCGTA

The enzyme RNA polymerase then catalyses the

formation of the strong chemical bond between the
ribose sugar and phosphate groups of adjoining RNA
nucleotides.
ATTTTATCGCCCTGCTAGCTGGGCAT
U A AAA U AG C G G GA C G A U C G A C C C G U A

TAAAATAGCGGGACGATCGACCCGTA

The enzyme RNA polymerase then catalyses the

formation of the strong chemical bond between the
ribose sugar and phosphate groups of adjoining RNA
nucleotides.
ATTTTATCGCCCTGCTAGCTGGGCAT
U A AAA U AG C G G GA C G A U C G A C C C G U A

TAAAATAGCGGGACGATCGACCCGTA

The enzyme RNA polymerase then catalyses the

formation of the strong chemical bond between the
ribose sugar and phosphate groups of adjoining RNA
nucleotides.
ATTTTATCGCCCTGCTAGCTGGGCAT
U A AAA U AG C G G GA C G A U C G A C C C G U A

TAAAATAGCGGGACGATCGACCCGTA

The enzyme RNA polymerase then catalyses the

formation of the strong chemical bond between the
ribose sugar and phosphate groups of adjoining RNA
nucleotides.
ATTTTATCGCCCTGCTAGCTGGGCAT
U A AAA U AG C G G GA C G A U C G A C C C G U A

TAAAATAGCGGGACGATCGACCCGTA

The enzyme RNA polymerase then catalyses the

formation of the strong chemical bond between the
ribose sugar and phosphate groups of adjoining RNA
nucleotides.
ATTTTATCGCCCTGCTAGCTGGGCAT
U A AAA U AG C G G GA C G A U C G A C C C G U A

TAAAATAGCGGGACGATCGACCCGTA

The enzyme RNA polymerase then catalyses the

formation of the strong chemical bond between the
ribose sugar and phosphate groups of adjoining RNA
nucleotides.
ATTTTATCGCCCTGCTAGCTGGGCAT
U A AAA U AG C G G GA C G A U C G A C C C G U A

TAAAATAGCGGGACGATCGACCCGTA

The enzyme RNA polymerase then catalyses the

formation of the strong chemical bond between the
ribose sugar and phosphate groups of adjoining RNA
nucleotides.
ATTTTATCGCCCTGCTAGCTGGGCAT
U A AAA U AG C G G GA C G A U C G A C C C G U A

TAAAATAGCGGGACGATCGACCCGTA

The messenger RNA molecule is formed

ATTTTATCGCCCTGCTAGCTGGGCAT
UAAAAUAGCGGGACGAUCGACCCGUA

TAAAATAGCGGGACGATCGACCCGTA

The messenger RNA molecule is formed

ATTTTATCGCCCTGCTAGCTGGGCAT
UAAAAUAGCGGGACGAUCGACCCG

TAAAATAGCGGGACGATCGACCCGTA

Hydrogen bonds between the bases on mRNA and the

bases on DNA break….
ATTTTATCGCCCTGCTAGCTGGGCAT
UAAAAUAGCGGGACGAUCGACC

TAAAATAGCGGGACGATCGACCCGTA

Hydrogen bonds between the bases on mRNA and the

bases on DNA break….
ATTTTATCGCCCTGCTAGCTGGGCAT
UAAAAUAGCGGGACGAUCG

TAAAATAGCGGGACGATCGACCCGTA

Hydrogen bonds between the bases on mRNA and the

bases on DNA break….
ATTTTATCGCCCTGCTAGCTGGGCAT
UAAAAUAGCGGGACG

TAAAATAGCGGGACGATCGACCCGTA

…….The mRNA is ready to make it’s journey out of the

nucleus and into the cytoplasm.
ATTTTATCGCCCTGCTAGCTGGGCAT
UAAAAUAGCGGG

TAAAATAGCGGGACGATCGACCCGTA

…….The mRNA is ready to make it’s journey out of the

nucleus and into the cytoplasm.
ATTTTATCGCCCTGCTAGCTGGGCAT
UAAAAUAG

TAAAATAGCGGGACGATCGACCCGTA

…….The mRNA is ready to make it’s journey out of the

nucleus and into the cytoplasm.
ATTTTATCGCCCTGCTAGCTGGGCAT
UAAAA

TAAAATAGCGGGACGATCGACCCGTA

…….The mRNA is ready to make it’s journey out of the

nucleus and into the cytoplasm.
ATTTTATCGCCCTGCTAGCTGGGCAT
UAA

TAAAATAGCGGGACGATCGACCCGTA

…….The mRNA is ready to make it’s journey out of the

nucleus and into the cytoplasm.
ATTTTATCGCCCTGCTAGCTGGGCAT
U

TAAAATAGCGGGACGATCGACCCGTA

…….The mRNA is ready to make it’s journey out of the

nucleus and into the cytoplasm.
ATTTTATCGCCCTGCTAGCTGGGCAT

TAAAATAGCGGGACGATCGACCCGTA
ATTTTATCGCCCTGCTAGCTGGGCAT

TAAAATAGCGGGACGATCGACCCGTA

The hydrogen bonds between the complementary bases

on DNA re-form and the DNA is wound back into a helix
again.
ATTTTATCGCCCTGCTAGCTGGGCAT

TAAAATAGCGGGACGATCGACCCGTA

The hydrogen bonds between the complementary bases

on DNA re-form and the DNA is wound back into a helix
again.
ATTTTATCGCCCTGCTAGCTGGGCAT

TAAAATAGCGGGACGATCGACCCGTA

The hydrogen bonds between the complementary bases

on DNA re-form and the DNA is wound back into a helix
again.
ATTTTATCGCCCTGCTAGCTGGGCAT

TAAAATAGCGGGACGATCGACCCGTA

The hydrogen bonds between the complementary bases

on DNA re-form and the DNA is wound back into a helix
again.
ATTTTATCGCCCTGCTAGCTGGGCAT
TAAAATAGCGGGACGATCGACCCGTA

The hydrogen bonds between the complementary bases

on DNA re-form and the DNA is wound back into a helix
again.
 Tasks
1. Complete the diagram to show the
complementary base pairing on mRNA
2. Add the following labels to your transcription
diagram:
•Messenger RNA
•Nuclear pore
•Messenger RNA leaving the nucleus
•DNA strand
3. Cut and Stick the transcription description
Protein Synthesis:
Translation
Learning Intentions
Describe how mRNA gets
translated into a protein.
Starter: 12 Quick Questions
What are the repeating units in
DNA known as?

Nucleotides
What are the three parts that
make up a nucleotide?

Deoxyribose sugar
Phosphate
Base
Which bases form complementary
base pairs

A–T
C-G
 What type of bond forms
between the complementary
bases on DNA

Hydrogen bond
 What type of bond forms
between the sugar and phosphate
molecules of adjoining
nucleotides?

A strong chemical
bond
What is the name of the enzyme
that forms this bond during DNA
replication?

DNA Polymerase
What is the DNA structure
described as?

A double helix
In RNA the base Uracil replaces
which base found in DNA

Thymine
Which sugar is found in an RNA
nucleotide

Ribose
What molecule is formed in
transcription?

Messenger RNA
(mRNA)
 Which enzyme catalyses the
formation of strong chemical
bonds between RNA nucleotides?

RNA polymerase
Where does transcription occur?

Nucleus
 Translation
Translation is the process in which the
mRNA is ‘read’ and translated into a
protein.
Translation occurs on the ribosomes
The process involves another type of
RNA molecule known as Transfer RNA
or tRNA
 The mRNA leaves the
nucleus through a nuclear
pore and enters the
cytoplasm

UGCAUCGCAACUCGC
 The mRNA leaves the
nucleus through a nuclear
pore and enters the
cytoplasm

GAUGCAUCGCAACUCGC
 The mRNA leaves the
nucleus through a nuclear
pore and enters the
cytoplasm

UCGAUGCAUCGCAACUCGC
The mRNA leaves the
nucleus through a nuclear
pore and enters the
cytoplasm

UUUCGAUGCAUCGCAACUCGC
The mRNA leaves the
nucleus through a nuclear
pore and enters the
cytoplasm

UUUCGAUGCAUCGCAACUCGC
The mRNA leaves the
nucleus through a nuclear
pore and enters the
cytoplasm

UUUCGAUGCAUCGCAACU
The mRNA leaves the
nucleus through a nuclear
pore and enters the
cytoplasm

UUUCGAUGCAUCGCA
The mRNA leaves the
nucleus through a nuclear
pore and enters the
cytoplasm

UUUCGAUGCAU
The mRNA leaves the
nucleus through a nuclear
pore and enters the
cytoplasm

UUUCGA
UUUCGAUGCAUCGCAACUCGC
UUUCGAUGCAUCGCAACUCGC

A ribosome becomes
attached to the mRNA
UUUCGAUGCAUCGCAACUCGC

A ribosome becomes
attached to the mRNA
UUUCGAUGCAUCGCAACUCGC

A ribosome becomes
attached to the mRNA
UUUCGAUGCAUCGCAACUCGC

A ribosome becomes
attached to the mRNA
codon
UUUCGAUGCAUCGCAACUCGC

the genetic code on the

mRNA is read in groups
of 3 letters called
codons
codon codon codon codon codon codon codon
UUUCGAUGCAUCGCAACUCGC

the genetic code on the

mRNA is read in groups
of 3 letters called
codons
codon codon codon codon codon codon codon
UUUCGAUGCAUCGCAACUCGC

AAA

aa1
codon codon codon codon codon codon codon
UUUCGAUGCAUCGCAACUCGC

AAA
tRNA molecules
have specific
anticodons for
each of the 20
amino acids

aa1
codon codon codon codon codon codon codon
UUUCGAUGCAUCGCAACUCGC

AAA

aa1
codon codon codon codon codon codon codon
UUUCGAUGCAUCGCAACUCGC
AAA

aa1
codon codon codon codon codon codon codon
UUUCGAUGCAUCGCAACUCGC
AAA

aa1
codon codon codon codon codon codon codon
UUUCGAUGCAUCGCAACUCGC
AAA

the complementary
anticodon is attracted to
the first codon on the
mRNA and forms a weak
aa1 hydrogen bond.
codon codon codon codon codon codon codon
UUUCGAUGCAUCGCAACUCGC
AAA
GCU

aa1

aa2
codon codon codon codon codon codon codon
UUUCGAUGCAUCGCAACUCGC
AAA
GCU

aa1
aa2
codon codon codon codon codon codon codon
UUUCGAUGCAUCGCAACUCGC
AAA
GCU

aa1
aa2
codon codon codon codon codon codon codon
UUUCGAUGCAUCGCAACUCGC
AAA
GCU

aa1
aa2
codon codon codon codon codon codon codon
UUUCGAUGCAUCGCAACUCGC
AAAGCU

the second codon on

mRNA also attracts its
complementary anticodon
on tRNA
aa1 aa2
codon codon codon codon codon codon codon
UUUCGAUGCAUCGCAACUCGC
AAAGCU

aa1 aa2

a peptide bond is formed between the

adjacent amino acids
codon codon codon codon codon codon codon
UUUCGAUGCAUCGCAACUCGC
AAAGCU

aa1 aa2

a peptide bond is formed between the

adjacent amino acids
codon codon codon codon codon codon codon
UUUCGAUGCAUCGCAACUCGC
AAAGCU

The first tRNA molecule

become detached from it’s
amino acid

ACG
aa1 aa2
codon codon codon codon codon codon codon
UUUCGAUGCAUCGCAACUCGC
AAAGCU

ACG

aa1 aa2
codon codon codon codon codon codon codon
UUUCGAUGCAUCGCAACUCGC
AAAGCU
The ribosome moves along
the mRNA molecule
ACG

aa1 aa2

aa3
codon codon codon codon codon codon codon
UUUCGAUGCAUCGCAACUCGC
AAAGCU
ACG The ribosome moves along
the mRNA molecule

aa1 aa2

aa3
codon codon codon codon codon codon codon
UUUCGAUGCAUCGCAACUCGC
AAAGCU ACG
The third tRNA moves in
place the anticodon linking
with it’s complementary
codon.

aa1 aa2 aa3

codon codon codon codon codon codon codon
UUUCGAUGCAUCGCAACUCGC
AAAGCU ACG

A peptide bond forms

between the two amino
acids

aa1 aa2 aa3

codon codon codon codon codon codon codon
UUUCGAUGCAUCGCAACUCGC
AAAGCU ACG

UAG

aa1 aa2 aa3

codon codon codon codon codon codon codon
UUUCGAUGCAUCGCAACUCGC
AAAGCU ACG

UAG

aa1 aa2 aa3

aa4
codon codon codon codon codon codon codon
UUUCGAUGCAUCGCAACUCGC
AAAGCU ACG

UAG

aa1 aa2 aa3

aa4
codon codon codon codon codon codon codon
UUUCGAUGCAUCGCAACUCGC
A A A G C U A C GU A G

aa1 aa2 aa3 aa4

codon codon codon codon codon codon codon
UUUCGAUGCAUCGCAACUCGC
A A A G C U A C GU A G

aa1 aa2 aa3 aa4

codon codon codon codon codon codon codon
UUUCGAUGCAUCGCAACUCGC
A A A G C U A C GU A G

CGU

aa1 aa2 aa3 aa4

aa
codon codon codon codon codon codon codon
UUUCGAUGCAUCGCAACUCGC
A A A G C U A C GU A G
CGU

aa1 aa2 aa3 aa4

aa5
codon codon codon codon codon codon codon
UUUCGAUGCAUCGCAACUCGC
A A A G C U A C GU A G C G U

aa1 aa2 aa3 aa4 aa5

codon codon codon codon codon codon codon
UUUCGAUGCAUCGCAACUCGC
A A A G C U A C GU A G C G U

aa1 aa2 aa3 aa4 aa5

codon codon codon codon codon codon codon
UUUCGAUGCAUCGCAACUCGC
A A A G C U A C GU A G C G U

aa1 aa2 aa3 aa4 aa5

codon codon codon codon codon codon codon
UUUCGAUGCAUCGCAACUCGC
A A A G C U A C GU A G C G U

UGA

aa1 aa2 aa3 aa4 aa5

codon codon codon codon codon codon codon
UUUCGAUGCAUCGCAACUCGC
A A A G C U A C GU A G C G U

UGA

aa1 aa2 aa3 aa4 aa5

aa6
codon codon codon codon codon codon codon
UUUCGAUGCAUCGCAACUCGC
A A A G C U A C GU A G C G U
UGA

aa1 aa2 aa3 aa4 aa5

aa6
codon codon codon codon codon codon codon
UUUCGAUGCAUCGCAACUCGC
A A A G C U A C GU A G C G U U G A

aa1 aa2 aa3 aa4 aa5 aa6

codon codon codon codon codon codon codon
UUUCGAUGCAUCGCAACUCGC
A A A G C U A C GU A G C G U U G A

aa1 aa2 aa3 aa4 aa5 aa6

codon codon codon codon codon codon codon
UUUCGAUGCAUCGCAACUCGC
A A A G C U A C GU A G C G U U G A

aa1 aa2 aa3 aa4 aa5 aa6

codon codon codon codon codon codon codon
UUUCGAUGCAUCGCAACUCGC
A A A G C U A C GU A G C G U U G A

aa1 aa2 aa3 aa4 aa5 aa6

codon codon codon codon codon codon codon
UUUCGAUGCAUCGCAACUCGC
A A A G C U A C GU A G C G U U G A

aa1 aa2 aa3 aa4 aa5 aa6

codon codon codon codon codon codon codon
UUUCGAUGCAUCGCAACUCGC
A A A G C U A C GU A G C G U U G A

aa1 aa2 aa3 aa4 aa5 aa6

codon codon codon codon codon codon codon
UUUCGAUGCAUCGCAACUCGC
A A A G C U A C GU A G C G U U G A

aa1 aa2 aa3 aa4 aa5 aa6

A stop codon is reached

codon codon codon codon codon codon codon
UUUCGAUGCAUCGCAACUCGC
A A A G C U A C GU A G C G U U G A

aa1 aa2 aa3 aa4 aa5 aa6

A stop codon is reached

codon codon codon codon codon codon codon
UUUCGAUGCAUCGCAACUCGC
A A A G C U A C GU A G C G U U G A

aa1 aa2 aa3 aa4 aa5 aa6

codon codon codon codon codon codon codon
UUUCGAUGCAUCGCAACUCGC
A A A G C U A C GU A G C G U U G A

A polypeptide chain has been formed and is

released into the cytoplasm

aa1 aa2 aa3 aa4 aa5 aa6

UUUCGAUGCAUCGCAACUCGC
AAA GCU

aa 6

aa1 aa2 aa 5

aa 4

aa 3
UUUCGAUGCAUCGCAACUCGC
AAA GCU

several ribosomes may

pass along the mRNA
behind the first - each
producing an identical
aa 6
polypeptide
aa1 aa2 aa 5

aa 4

aa 3
AAA

+ aa1
AAA

+ aa1
AAA ATP AMP

+ aa1
AAA ATP AMP AAA

+ aa1

aa1
AAA ATP AMP AAA

+ aa1

the tRNA molecules are

activated after use by aa1

recombining with their

specific amino acid
 Tasks
Fill in the worksheet blanks to complete
the story of Translation.
Complete the TYK questions on page 60
Processing and Packaging

Learning Intentions
Explain how the polypeptide chain
produced in translation becomes a
protein and how the protein is
processed.
Let’s have a re-cap!
 The Genetic code
The sequence of bases on DNA is a ‘codeword’
The four bases are ‘read’ in triplets.
The combination of four letters in groups of 3
gives 64 base triplets.
These 64 triplets code for the 20 amino acids.
There is therefore more that one triplet that
will code for each amino acid.
Combinations of these 20 amino acids give rise
to the huge variety of proteins found.
Flattened sacs
Rough E.R
and tubules
encrusted with
ribosomes.
Proteins that are
to be secreted
by the cell are
synthesised on
the rough E.R.
They are then
passed on to the
Golgi body.
 Golgi body

A group of flattened fluid sacs.

Vesicles containing newly synthesised proteins fuse
with the golgi.
The golgi processes the protein e.g. adds a
carbohydrate chain = glycoprotein.
Vesicles containing the finished product
pinch off at the end of the golgi body.
The contents of the vesicle are then
discharged outside = Exocytosis
Golgi bodies are especially numerous and
active in secretory cells e.g. salivary
gland cells.
 Tasks
Complete the TYK questions on page 63

Code for a critter!