Chapter 17, Problem 6TY

Summary Introduction

Introduction:

A gene is a functional unit of the DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid), which codes for one or more proteins. It is transcribed into mRNA (messenger RNA) through a process called transcription. This process requires an enzyme called RNA (ribonucleic acid) polymerase. This enzyme recognizes a sequence in the gene known as the promoter region. This signals it to begin transcription and it synthesizes mRNA from that gene. This mRNA is then translated into the protein that mRNA codes for using translation machinery that is ribosomes, tRNA (transfer RNA) molecules, and enzymes. The mRNA is held in place by the ribosome. Codons in the mRNA are recognized by tRNA molecules, which bring in the corresponding amino acids and peptide bonds are formed between these resulting in the production of a protein.