Joselyn Rodriguez

July 29, 2015

Anthr 1020-002
Marissa Maughn

Protein Synthesis:
Transcription and Translation
For my evolutionary theory research project I decided to do it on the
transcription and translation process also known as protein synthesis.
Proteins make up most of our body, whether it be eyes, hair, skin or vital
organs. They are just as important as our DNA, without them we would
cease to be. The reason that I chose this particular aspect of evolution is
because it was a process that was a harder for me to understand. This
inspired me to figure out a way that would be easily accessible and
understandable for others to understand. The age group that I chose were
9-12 year old youths because it would give me the opportunity to create a
game that would be simple enough for them to understand therefore
making it accessible for all ages. Transcription and translation is a very
important process because the protein it creates makes everything in the
human body.
In the human body, as well as in most organism, the genetic material
that defines you is stored in the form of deoxyribonucleic acid or DNA. DNA
is in the form of a double helix which is often described as a twisted tall
ladder. Each DNA strand is made up of four nitrogen bases: Adenine,
Guanine, Cytosine and Thymine. These nitrogen bases have specific pairing
as follows, Adenine always pairs with Thymine while Guanine always pairs
with Cytosine. DNA replication is not a perfect process. Errors occur in
DNA causing nitrogen bases to pair up with the incorrect partner resulting
in mutations. Mutations may have consequences that can result in death,

genetic disease or cancer (Collins et al. 1978). In many instances they give
the organism a competitive advantage allowing it to survive and reproduce.
After the DNA strand is done replicating it begins to split transferring
one side of the nitrogen bases. When the DNA is transcribed it becomes
messenger ribonucleic acid or mRNA which carries the information that is
needed for protein synthesis. The mRNA then carries the DNA into the
cytoplasm it then is assisted by transfer ribonucleic acid (tRNA) which then
carries it to the ribosome. The ribosome is a cellular particle made of RNA
and protein that serves as the site for protein synthesis in the cell (Brown
& Brown Jr. 2005). When the tRNA arrives to the ribosome, a set of three
nitrogen bases also known as codons begin to stretch and pair with the
anticodon. Each codon interacts with the anticodon by pairing. Guanine
pairs with Cytosine and in this particular step Adenine will pair with a
nitrogen base called Uracil instead of Thymine. These particular pairings
change the recipe from DNA formula to protein synthesis. The ribosome
then begins to read the mRNA and then translates the RNA nitrogen bases
into a sequence of amino acids. At the end of this process a protein is
created and proteins make up everything in your body.
In conclusion, every step of protein synthesis is essential in the
making of a successful protein. Any mistake, big or small, can add or take
away from an organisms ability to succeed. Its very survival and
reproduction depend on accurate transcribing and translation. Evolution is
thoroughly engrossed in every living organism giving them the opportunity
to evolve and progress into better and stronger versions of their species.
Not every evolutionary change will show up right away, it may remain
dormant for generations while other changes maybe immediate. The
chances of a species enduring will always be founded on the survival of the
fittest.

Bibliography
Brown, T & Brown Jr, T. 2005. Transcription, Translation and Replication. Nucleic
Acids Book. N/A
Collins, P L, L E Hightower, and L A Ball. 1978. Transcription and Translation of
Newcastle Disease Virus mRNAs in Vitro. Journal of Virology 28.1 324336.
Print.
Mena, A, Lam, E, & Chatterjee, S 2010, 'Sustained Spindle-Assembly Checkpoint
Response Requires De Novo Transcription and Translation of Cyclin B1', Plos
ONE, 5, 9, pp. 1-9. Print