preview

Essay On DNA Protein

Decent Essays

Dr Sleeman – “From DNA to secreted protein: describe the key molecular events required and their organisation within the cell”
The genome, all the genetic material encoded within the sequence of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), which is unique to each individual organism, has all the information required for a cell to sustain life. This is possible due to gene expression which is the process of the genetic code, DNA, being translated into proteins which a cell can then utilise for specific functions whether it be a unicellular or multicellular organism. Through this process there are many steps taken from the raw genetic code to the finished protein, the cell ensuring each step progresses without mistake and that the resulting protein has been …show more content…

2017.). This is shown in figure 1. A eukaryotic organism can also have promoters and repressors, though there are more ways in which a gene can be regulated. For instance, DNA in eukaryotic organisms binds tightly to histones, a type of protein, and this forms chromatin. Depending on how decondensed the chromatin is can affect how easily the gene can be transcribed (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. 2017.). Processes such as these are needed throughout all branches of life, and once a gene is no longer being repressed it can then be transcribed.
Transcription is the copying of a strand of DNA, called the template strand, to form single-stranded messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA).
Figure 2 – Transcription

(Gary E. Kaiser (May 26, 2001) Fig. 4: Transcription of mRNA Complementary to a Gene)
Illustrated in figure 2 is transcription, which is broken down into three stages. First the RNA polymerase binds to the DNA at a promoter region, this promoter region contains sequences which allow binding of the RNA polymerase. The second stage of transcription is elongation, as the DNA is unwound the RNA polymerase forms the singled stranded mRNA molecule. Like with DNA, the RNA is made of nucleotide bases with the exception that instead of thymine there is uracil. As the RNA polymerase forms the mRNA, complementary bases pair up guanine with

Get Access