Types of RNA molecules

Messenger RNA (mRNA) (Fig. 9.10)

Carries the DNA master code to the ribosome

Transfer RNA (tRNA) (Fig. 9.10)

A cloverleaf tRNA to carry aminoacids to ribosome during translation

Ribosomal RNA (rRNA)

Structural form of RNA that together with a protein makes a ribosome and participates in protein synthesis

Primer

An RNA that can begin DNA replication

Ribosome (Fig. 9.12)

Cellular structure where protein synthesis occurs

Assembly of the small and large subunits results in specific sites (P and A) for holding the mRNA and two tRNAs with their aminoacids

-------------------------------------------------------------------
The flow of genetic information (the so-called ‘dogma of biology’)

DNA replication

Transcription

Translation

 

Transcription (Fig. 9.11)

mRNA synthesis

The process by which a strand of RNA is produced from a DNA template

Transcript: a newly transcribed RNA molecule

Translation (Fig. 9.15)

Protein synthesis
(I suggest to go to utube.com on the internet and make a search for animated videos on 'translation' or 'protein synthesis')

The process of decoding the messenger RNA code into a polypeptide



--------------------------------------------------------------

Genetic code (Fig. 9.13)

Codons of mRNA that specify a given aminoacid

The 4 different nitrogen bases of RNA in all possible combinations of 3

64 codons or triplets (4³=64)

The universal language of life!

 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Textbook: Foundations in Microbiology. K.Park Talaro. 6th edition. McGraw Hill.

Remember to read your textbook, study tables, graphs and illustrations.
Develop a strategy to administer your time so that when exams come you do not have to cram.
Attend lectures and ask questions.

Lecture notes are posted BEFORE lecture is given thereafter they will be removed.