5.6 The sequence of bases in the DNA determines the structure of proteins, including enzymes.

Specification
The genetic code as base triplets in mRNA which code for specific amino acids. The genetic code is universal, non-overlapping and degenerate. The structure of molecules of messenger RNA (mRNA) and transfer RNA (tRNA). Candidates should be able to compare the structure and composition of DNA, mRNA and tRNA.

The Genetic Code

Amino acid 1

Amino acid 2

Amino acid 3

Amino acid 4

A sequence of three bases, called a triplet, codes for a specific amino acid.

 The order in which the triplets appear determines the sequence in which the amino acids are combined to make the polypeptide chain

1st Base T
Phenylalanine Phenylalanine

2nd Base C
Serine Serine Serine Serine Proline Proline Proline Proline Threonine Threonine Threonine Threonine Alanine Alanine Alanine Alanine

3rd Base A
Tyrosine Tyrosine Stop Stop Histidine Histidine Glutamine Glutamine Asparagine Asparagine Lysine Lysine Aspartate Aspartate Glutamate Glutamate

G
Cysteine Cysteine Stop Tryptophan Arginine Arginine Arginine Arginine Serine Serine Arginine Arginine Glycine Glycine Glycine Glycine

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

Leucine Leucine Leucine Leucine

Leucine Leucine Isoleucine Isoleucine

Isoleucine Methionine (Start)1 Valine Valine

Valine Valine

A
G

The code is
Universal all living things share the same four organic bases Degenerate one amino acid can be coded for by more than one triplet

Non-overlapping the triplets are all sequential and it matters where you start

Guess the nucleic acid?

Compare:
RNA
Uracil pairs with Adenine Ribose sugar Usually single stranded Not arranged in a helix Relatively short

DNA
Thymine pairs with adenine Deoxyribose sugar Double stranded Arranged in a double helix Much longer

Function of RNA
It transmits genetic information stored in DNA: Transcription: it expresses the genetic information as mRNA Translation: it transports amino acids to the ribosome in protein synthesis (tRNA)

Messenger RNA
mRNA a template for protein synthesis made in the nucleus when free RNA nucleotides match up with DNA template

Transfer RNA
tRNA The RNA molecule is formed into a secondary structure like a cloverleaf Transfers amino acids to the ribosome during protein synthesis.

Amino acid attaches here

tRNA molecule

Anticodon

The amino acid collected by the tRNA molecule is determined by the arrangement of bases at the anticodon

Base sequences

DNA triplet

mRNA codon

tRNA - anticodon
(phenylalanine)

Ribosomal RNA
rRNA Combines with protein to form ribosomes

Describe how proteins are synthesised using the DNA code

enzymes break weak hydrogen bonds between the bases one strand of DNA acts as a template to form a molecule of mRNA by the process of complimentary base pairing (C=G, T=A, A=U, G=C) free nucleotides are found in the nucleoplasm mRNA molecule leaves nucleus via nuclear pores travels to ribosomes in cytoplasm

 ribosome attaches to mRNA at a start code a tRNA molecule with a complimentary anticodon will bind to the appropriate codon on the mRNA this tRNA molecule will bring a particular amino acid to the ribosome sequence of amino acids is determined by the sequence of bases in DNA chain peptide bonds form between amino acids a polypeptide chain is formed this is transported to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) to be folded into a protein