Transcription

Thursday March 21^st 

DNA ultimately codes for what macromolecule?

 Proteins

What subunits make up that macromolecule?

 Amino Acids

Where does the synthesis of that molecule occur?

 Ribosomes

DNA does not directly make protein, what molecule is the “messenger” for the “boss”?

RNA (specifically mRNA)

Today we got into our discussion on transcription.  This involved working with the Kinex models again. (See pics below)

DNA on the Right, RNA on the Left

The DNA splits open once a promotor region is reached and RNA Polymerase adds nucleotides according to base pairing rules.

Notice thought that thymines (black) are not added to the adenine (white) instead it is replaced by uracil.

As the RNA molecule is made is separates and the the DNA molecule zips back up together.

We then watched the first half of the following video that shows this in real time in our cells