Central Dogma of Protein Synthesis

The Central Dogma of genetics is DNA to RNA to protein. DNA is the hard-copy of

genetic material. RNA is the intermediary between DNA and the protein making parts, the

ribosomes. RNA serves to carry information from the genome, located in the nucleus of the cell,

to the ribosomes, which are located outside of the nucleus either in the cytosol or on the

endoplasmic reticulum. Proteins are macromolecule that contains carb, hydrogen, oxygen, and

nitrogen. They are needed by the body for growth and repair and to make up enzymes.

In the Central Dogma, DNA preforms replication in which the DNA replicates its

information in a process that involves many enzymes. Then the DNA codes for the production of

messenger RNA (mRNA) during transcription. In eukaryotic cells. the mRNA is processed and

migrates from the nucleus to the cytoplasm. the Messenger RNA carries coded information to the

ribosomes. Finally, the ribosomes “read” this information and use it for protein synthesis. This is

called translation.

In DNA replication it begins when helicase unwinds the DNA forming a “replication

fork”. Multiple replication forks form along a DNA molecule and create replication bubbles. A

primase then adds a complimentary RNA primer to each template strand as a starting point for

replication. DNA polymerase then read the template strand and adds new complimentary

nucleotides.The DNA is synthesized until every strand of the RNA has its complimentary

nucleotide. A different type of DNA polymerase then removes the RNA primer and replaces it

with DNA. Each new DNA molecule is then rewound by helicase so now each molecule is

identical.

RNA synthesis is the next step (transcription). RNA is necessary to carry the instructions

of the DNA out of the nucleus and to the ribosomes. The messenger RNA carries the actual code
that specifies the amino acid sequence in a polypeptide (protein). Making mRNA starts with a

protein encoding gene on a template strand of DNA. The RNA polymerase binds to a promoter

and the double helix unwinds and is ready to be transcribed. RNA polymerase moves along the

protein encoding gene adding new RNA nucleotides to add complimentary nucleotides to the

DNA template. RNA polymerase reaches the terminator region of the protein encoding gene and

all the enzymes and factors are released.

The last step is the protein synthesis (translation). The language of nucleic acids is

translated into the language of proteins. The mRNA binds to the ribosome. A site is open and

read to receive new tRNAs. New amino acids are added. Now everything can be read and

translated. A stop codon is reached and all parts are released. In the protein synthesis it’s

important for there to be no mutation. Deletion or insertion are mutations that change the reading

frame. Any errors in DNA replication can cause them.