1.
Sketch a simple flow diagram that shows the relationships among the following
(i.e. place in proper order…): RNA, translation, DNA, transcription, and protein.
DNA

transcription to RNA

translated

produces a protein
2.
A template DNA strand has the following nucleotide sequence:
3' - TACTGCATAATGATT - 5'
What would be the sequence of codons in the mRNA transcribed from this strand
(be sure to label the ends appropriately with numerical designation…)?
5' - AUG-ACG-UAU-UAC-UAA - 3'
3.
Describe the structure and components of a ribosome.
Ribosomes are composed of rRNA molecules associated with proteins. There are two subunits: the large and small subunits. Ribosomal RNA does not carry information to specify the amino acid sequence, but is catalytic. The proteins associated with the ribosome are not catalytic, but are structural.
4.
Describe the initiation, elongation and termination stages of protein synthesis.
Initiation is the first step. Initiation factors (proteins) move an initiation tRNA onto the small ribosomal subunit. The initiation complex binds to ribosomerecognition sequences on the mRNA and aligns the anticodon of the tRNA with the codon of the mRNA. The large ribosomal subunit then binds, forming the functional ribosome or initiation complex.
Elongation is the addition of new amino acids to the growing protein. As the initiator tRNA is bound to the P site of the ribosome, the A site is unoccupied until the next aminoacyl-tRNA moves in. Peptide bond formation takes place between the amino group of the new amino acid and the carboxyl group of the amino acid bound in the preceding reaction. The tRNA molecule is released from the P site. Translocation is the movement of the growing polypeptide chain from the A site to the P site (i.e. the ribosome moves toward the 3' end of the mRNA).
The tRNA, without an attached amino acid, now moves from the P to the E site.
This tRNA then leaves the ribosome tRNA pool in the cytosol.
Termination occurs when the mRNA presents the codons UAA, UGA, or UAG.
Release factors recognize these codons, the ribosome dissociates into the 2 subunits, and the newly produced polypeptide chain dissociates from the ribosome.

5.
An mRNA strand has the following nucleotide sequence:
5' - AUGACGUAUUACUUU - 3'
What is the anticodon for each codon? What is the amino acid sequence of the polypeptide?
The anticodon sequence would be: UAC, UGC, AUA, AUG, AAA
And the amino acid sequence would be: MET—THR—TYR—TYR—PHE