As a student, you can interact with the Protein Synthesis Simulation on the Lab Interactive website to understand the processes of transcription and translation.
1. Differences between DNA and RNA:
- DNA is double-stranded, while RNA is single-stranded.
- DNA contains the bases adenine, thymine, guanine, and cytosine, while RNA contains adenine, uracil, guanine, and cytosine.
- DNA is found in the nucleus, while RNA can be found in the nucleus and cytoplasm.
- DNA stores genetic information, while RNA helps in protein synthesis.
2. After clicking "Transcribe":
- The DNA is transcribed into messenger RNA (mRNA).
3. Reason for DNA transcription stopping:
- DNA transcription stops when it reaches a stop codon, which signals the end of the protein-coding sequence.
4. After clicking "Translate":
- The mRNA is translated into a protein based on the codons (sets of three nucleotides) present on the mRNA.
5. After clicking "Show Protein":
- The protein created will be displayed.
6. Description of the protein created:
- The protein will be a sequence of amino acids determined by the mRNA codons.
- Example: If the mRNA sequence is AUG-CGG-AAA, the corresponding amino acids would be Methionine-Arginine-Lysine.
This simulation helps visualize the intricate processes of protein synthesis, from DNA transcription to protein creation, providing a hands-on learning experience about the central dogma of molecular biology.
