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Describe the structure of RNA in a cell and the involvement of the different types of RNA in protein synthesis - NSC Life Sciences - Question 4 - 2018 - Paper 2
Question 4
Describe the structure of RNA in a cell and the involvement of the different types of RNA in protein synthesis. Content: (1) Synthesis: (3) NOTE: NO marks will be ... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Describe the structure of RNA in a cell and the involvement of the different types of RNA in protein synthesis - NSC Life Sciences - Question 4 - 2018 - Paper 2
Step 1
Structure of RNA
Answer
RNA is a single-stranded molecule composed of nucleotides, which include the following components:
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Ribose Sugar: Each nucleotide contains a ribose sugar, which forms the backbone of the RNA strand.
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Phosphate Group: Attached to the ribose is a phosphate group, linking the nucleotides together.
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Nitrogenous Bases: RNA contains four types of nitrogenous bases:
- Adenine (A)
- Uracil (U) in place of thymine found in DNA
- Cytosine (C)
- Guanine (G)
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Codons: The bases in RNA are grouped into codons, each comprising three bases that code for specific amino acids during protein synthesis.
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tRNA Structure: Transfer RNA (tRNA) has a clover-leaf or hairpin structure, where it has an anticodon that pairs with codons on mRNA.
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Amino Acid Attachment: tRNA also has a specific place to attach to an amino acid, crucial for protein synthesis.
Step 2
Involvement in Protein Synthesis
Answer
RNA plays several critical roles in the process of protein synthesis:
- mRNA Formation: Messenger RNA (mRNA) is synthesized by copying the coded message from DNA during transcription.
- Nuclear Movement: The mRNA then exits the nucleus and moves into the cytoplasm, where it attaches to a ribosome.
- Translation Process: During translation, ribosomes read the mRNA sequence, utilizing the associated tRNA molecules.
- Anticodon Matching: The anticodon on tRNA pairs with the corresponding codon on the mRNA, bringing specific amino acids to the ribosome.
- Amino Acid Transportation: Each tRNA carries the required amino acid to the ribosome, where amino acids are joined together by peptide bonds.
- Forming the Protein: This process continues until the ribosome reaches a stop codon, ultimately forming the required protein.