Transcription:
- Initiation: RNA polymerase binds to the promoter region of the DNA, initiating the synthesis of a complementary RNA strand from the DNA template.
- Elongation: RNA polymerase moves along the DNA, synthesizing an RNA molecule by adding complementary nucleotides to the growing RNA strand.
- Termination: The termination signal causes RNA polymerase to detach from the DNA, completing the synthesis of the RNA molecule.
Translation:
- Initiation: The small ribosomal https://medtomarketlabs.com/bmk-methyl-glycidate-a-comprehensive-chemical-analysis subunit binds to the mRNA at the start codon (AUG), and the initiator tRNA carrying methionine binds to the start codon.
- Elongation: The ribosome moves along the mRNA, and tRNAs bring amino acids to the ribosome, where they are added to the growing polypeptide chain.
- Termination: When a stop codon is reached, a release factor binds to the ribosome, causing the completed polypeptide chain to be released.
Molecular Machinery:
- Ribosomes: These are the cellular machinery responsible for protein synthesis, providing the platform for mRNA and tRNA interactions during translation.
- Transfer RNA (tRNA): tRNA molecules carry specific amino acids to the ribosome, where they are incorporated into the growing polypeptide chain.
- Messenger RNA (mRNA): mRNA carries the genetic information from DNA to the ribosome, serving as the template for protein synthesis.
Differences Between Prokaryotes and Eukaryotes:
- While the overall scheme of protein synthesis is similar in all living cells, there are significant differences between bacteria and eukaryotes. Eukaryotic cells contain mitochondria and chloroplasts, which have their own DNA and ribosomes, leading to some variations in the process.
Conclusion:
The scheme of protein synthesis involves the coordinated processes of transcription and translation, mediated by molecular machinery such as ribosomes, tRNA, and mRNA. Understanding the intricacies of protein synthesis provides insights into the fundamental mechanisms governing gene expression and protein production in living organisms.