Learning check
Once you have watched the video, check your learning with this quiz.
Proteins
Proteins are very large molecules (macromolecules).
Proteins are made of amino acids.
The DNA molecule and proteins
The DNA molecules has two functions:
- Contains "recipes" for proteins.
- Transfers the genetic material to the next generation.
This is sometimes called the central dogma of molecular genetics.
A certain segment of a DNA molecule, that contains a "recipe" for a protein is called a gene. The "recipe" consists of a code of nucleobases. This is why we say that a gene codes for a certain protein.
The transcription
The code in the DNA molecule is rewritten (transcribed) as RNA.
- RNA polymerase synthesizes the RNA
When the RNA is synthesized, the nucleobases pair with each other.
Base pairing
In RNA, uracil (U) instead of thymine (T) pairs with adenine (A).
DNA | Pairs with in RNA |
A | U |
T | A |
C | G |
G | C |
Next step(s)
- RNA molecule matures (splicing).
- Translation.