How the DNA directs Protein Synthesis
1. When a cell needs more of a protein, a section of
the DNA unzips at a specific gene. (A gene is a
section of DNA that codes for a specific protein.)
2. Messenger RNA (mRNA) nucleotides get in
sequence based on the order of one of the DNA
strands.
3. The mRNA leaves the nucleus and moves to the
ribosome in the cytoplasm.
4. The ribosome “reads” the mRNA nucleotides in
groups of three called codons.
5. Specific transfer RNA (tRNA) molecules bring
specific amino acid molecules to the ribosome.
6. The anti-codons (groups of three nucleotides on
the tRNA) attach to codons that they match.
7. The amino acids attach together to make a
polypeptide (protein).
8. The polypeptide folds into a 3-dimensional
structure the body can use.