Genetic Coding and Protein Synthesis

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Gene Noun

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[jeen]

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Gene

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A section of DNA that carries the instructions for building a specific protein or functional RNA molecule.

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Example: This image shows that a gene is a section of DNA that provides the instructions for making a protein.

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Protein Synthesis Noun

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[pro-teen sin-thuh-sis]

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Protein Synthesis

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The entire two-step process, including transcription and translation, of creating a protein from the instructions in a gene.

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Example: This image shows that protein synthesis is the process of linking individual amino acids together into a chain, which then folds to form a protein.

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DNA Noun

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[dee-en-ay]

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DNA

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A double-stranded molecule that serves as the primary repository for long-term genetic information in an organism.

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Example: This diagram shows the double helix structure of DNA, with two sugar-phosphate backbones and rungs made of paired nitrogenous bases: A with T, and G with C.

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Double Helix Noun

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[dub-ul hee-liks]

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Double Helix

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The characteristic twisted-ladder structure of a DNA molecule, formed by two intertwined complementary strands of nucleotides.

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Example: This image shows the twisted ladder shape of a DNA molecule, known as a double helix, which contains an organism's genetic instructions.

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Nitrogenous Base Noun

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[ny-troj-uh-nus beys]

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Nitrogenous Base

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The molecular 'letters' of the genetic code that form the rungs of the DNA or RNA structure.

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Example: This diagram shows that a nitrogenous base (labeled A for Adenine) is one of the three essential parts that join together to make a nucleotide.

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RNA Noun

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[ar-en-ay]

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RNA

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A typically single-stranded nucleic acid that acts as a messenger and functional tool in protein synthesis.

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Example: This image shows the chemical building blocks of an RNA strand: a phosphate group, a ribose sugar, and a nitrogenous base (like uracil).

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Uracil Noun

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[yoor-uh-sil]

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Uracil

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The nitrogenous base found in RNA that replaces Thymine and pairs with Adenine during transcription and translation.

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Example: This image shows the chemical structure of Uracil, a molecule found in RNA. The diagram highlights the atoms (like Nitrogen, Oxygen, and Hydrogen) that form its ring shape.

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mRNA Noun

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[em-ar-en-ay]

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mRNA

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The type of RNA that carries a transcribed copy of a gene's instructions from the nucleus to the ribosome.

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Example: This diagram shows an mRNA strand acting as a message, which a ribosome reads to build a new protein from individual amino acids.

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tRNA Noun

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[tee-ar-en-ay]

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tRNA

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The type of RNA that acts as an adapter, carrying a specific amino acid to the ribosome to match an mRNA codon.

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Example: This shows a tRNA molecule carrying an amino acid. Its anticodon base pairs with the mRNA's codon, which is how it helps build a protein.

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rRNA Noun

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[ar-ar-en-ay]

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rRNA

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The type of RNA that is a major structural and catalytic component of ribosomes, the machinery for protein synthesis.

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Example: This image shows the ribosome (large and small subunits, made of rRNA) reading mRNA to build a protein from amino acids delivered by tRNA.