What Is Protein Synthesis?
Protein synthesis is the process by which individual cells construct proteins. Both deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and all types of ribonucleic acid (RNA) are involved in this process. Enzymes in the cell’s nucleus begin the process of protein synthesis by unwinding the needed section of DNA, so that RNA can be made. The RNA forms as a copy of one side of the DNA strand, and is sent to other areas of the cell to aid in the bringing together of different amino acids that form proteins. Protein synthesis is so called because proteins are “synthesized” through mechanical and chemical processes in the cell. Once the strand of RNA has been made in the nucleus, it is called messenger RNA (mRNA). The mRNA exits the nucleus through tiny openings called nuclear pores, and moves into the larger area of the cell, known as the cytoplasm. Once it exits the nucleus, the mRNA is drawn toward a structure known as a ribosome, which serves as the cell’s work station for protein synthesis. At this point, on
Video Transcript What Is Protein Synthesis? You may have heard that if you want to build muscle mass, it’s helpful to eat more protein. But how does the protein in the food that you eat actually turn into more muscles? I’m Janice Creneti and this is what is protein synthesis? Protein synthesis is one of the many complicated processes in your body that take things like food and turn it into muscles, hair and skin. It all starts with DNA which is located inside of the nucleus of the cell. DNA exists in a double helix. It looks something like this. You’ve got two strands. Well these two strands form a pretty big molecule and they can’t really get outside of the nucleus of the cell into the cytoplasm where all the building of the body actually happens. So instead, this molecule splits apart and something called messenger RNA is formed as a complimentary strand. And it looks something like this. Well the messenger RNA molecule is actually small enough to get out of the nucleus, out into the
Protein synthesis is the transcription and translation of specific parts of DNA to form proteins. The following is a brief overview of how a gene (a section of the DNA molecule) serves as a template for the synthesis of a protein. The process can be split into two phases. Transcription occurs first, followed by translation.
