Question

REFLECT AND APPLY Suggest a possible conclusion from the fact that peptidyl transferase is one of the most conserved sequences in all of biology.

Short answer

Peptidyl transferase's highly conserved nature indicates its crucial and irreplaceable role in protein synthesis.

Step-by-step solution

Understand the Concept of Peptidyl Transferase

Peptidyl transferase is an enzymatic activity found in the ribosome, specifically in the ribosomal RNA. It plays a critical role in the process of protein synthesis by forming peptide bonds between amino acids.

Define 'Conserved Sequences'

In biology, a 'conserved sequence' refers to a sequence of DNA, RNA, or protein that has remained relatively unchanged throughout evolution. High conservation generally indicates that the sequence performs a vital function essential to the organism's survival and functionality.

Relate Conservation to Function

Because peptidyl transferase is highly conserved, it implies that this enzyme is crucial for all forms of life. Any significant changes to its sequence could disrupt protein synthesis, potentially resulting in non-viable cells or organisms.

Formulate the Conclusion

Given that peptidyl transferase is one of the most conserved sequences in all of biology, it can be concluded that its function in protein synthesis is essential and irreplaceable across different forms of life.

Key concepts

Protein Synthesis

Protein synthesis is the process by which cells produce proteins. This process is vital because proteins perform a variety of functions, including structural roles, catalyzing reactions as enzymes, and regulating cellular activities.
Protein synthesis takes place mainly in two stages: transcription and translation.
During transcription, DNA is converted into messenger RNA (mRNA). Then, during translation, ribosomes read the mRNA sequence and assemble the corresponding amino acids to form a protein.

• Transcription: DNA → mRNA
• Translation: mRNA → Protein

Ribosomes play a key role during translation. Inside the ribosome, peptidyl transferase, an enzymatic activity within the ribosomal RNA (rRNA), forms peptide bonds between amino acids, resulting in a growing protein chain.

Conserved Sequences

In biology, a conserved sequence refers to a segment of DNA, RNA, or protein that has remained virtually unchanged throughout evolution. This high level of conservation suggests that the sequence performs an essential and irreplaceable function.
For example, if a gene sequence is crucial for cell survival or reproduction, any significant changes to that sequence could be detrimental, leading to an evolutionary disadvantage.

• High conservation = Essential Function
• Unchanged through evolutionary time

Peptidyl transferase, found in ribosomal RNA, is one of the most conserved sequences in all of biology, highlighting its critical role in the survival and functionality of living organisms.

Ribosomal RNA

Ribosomal RNA (rRNA) is a type of RNA that, together with proteins, makes up the ribosomes. Ribosomes are the molecular machines in cells responsible for synthesizing proteins. Each ribosome contains a small and a large subunit, each of which includes specific rRNA molecules.
The rRNA within these subunits not only helps maintain the structure of the ribosome but also catalyzes the formation of peptide bonds between amino acids during protein synthesis. This enzymatic activity of rRNA is known as peptidyl transferase.
This critical role makes rRNA essential for the life of all cells.

• Structural and functional component of ribosomes
• Catalyzes the construction of peptide bonds
• Essential for protein synthesis

Enzymatic Activity

Enzymatic activity refers to the ability of enzymes to catalyze biochemical reactions. Enzymes are crucial biological catalysts that accelerate the rate of reactions without being consumed in the process.
In the context of ribosomal RNA, peptidyl transferase is the enzymatic activity that forms peptide bonds between amino acids during protein synthesis. This specific activity is essential for the elongation of the protein chain being synthesized on the ribosome.
Because peptidyl transferase is highly conserved, its function is critical across all forms of life. Any disruption in this enzymatic activity could severely affect protein synthesis, leading to non-viable cells or organisms.

• Accelerates biochemical reactions
• Vital for forming peptide bonds in protein synthesis
• Highly conserved and essential across different species