Question

What is the name of the process by which amino acids are linked together in the correct order based on an RNA sequence?

Short answer

Translation

Step-by-step solution

Understand the Question

The question asks for the name of the process in which amino acids are assembled in a specific sequence according to the instructions provided by an RNA sequence.

Identify Key Terms

The key terms here are 'amino acids', 'linked together', 'correct order', and 'RNA sequence'. These terms suggest we are talking about protein synthesis.

Recall Biological Processes

There are two main steps in protein synthesis: transcription and translation. Transcription is the process of creating an RNA copy of DNA. Translation is the process where this RNA sequence is used to assemble amino acids into a protein.

Focus on the Correct Step

The question specifically refers to linking amino acids in the correct order based on an RNA sequence. This happens during the process known as translation.

Conclusion

The process by which amino acids are linked together in the correct order based on an RNA sequence is called 'translation'.

Key concepts

Amino Acids

Amino acids are organic compounds that serve as the building blocks for proteins. Each amino acid contains both an amino group (NH2) and a carboxyl group (COOH). They are classified into three groups:

• Essential amino acids: These cannot be synthesized by the body and must be obtained from the diet.
• Non-essential amino acids: These can be synthesized by the body and do not need to be obtained from the diet.
• Conditional amino acids: These are usually not essential, except in times of illness or stress.

Amino acids form proteins through peptide bonds, creating long chains that fold into specific three-dimensional shapes. These shapes determine the protein's function in various biological processes, such as enzyme activity, structural support, and cell signaling.

Protein Synthesis

Protein synthesis is the process through which cells create new proteins. This involves two main stages: transcription and translation.

• Transcription: During transcription, the DNA sequence of a gene is copied into messenger RNA (mRNA). This happens in the cell nucleus.
• Translation: In translation, the mRNA sequence is read by ribosomes in the cytoplasm to produce a specific protein. The mRNA sequence contains codons, which are groups of three nucleotides that correspond to specific amino acids.

The ribosome reads the mRNA sequence in the 5’ to 3’ direction, translating each codon into the corresponding amino acid. Transfer RNA (tRNA) molecules bring the correct amino acids to the ribosome, where they are linked via peptide bonds, forming a polypeptide chain that eventually folds into a functioning protein.

RNA Sequence

RNA, or ribonucleic acid, is a nucleic acid that plays several crucial roles in coding, decoding, regulation, and expression of genes. There are several types of RNA, including:

• Messenger RNA (mRNA): Carries the genetic information from DNA to the ribosome, where it serves as a template for protein synthesis.
• Transfer RNA (tRNA): Brings the appropriate amino acids to the ribosome during translation, pairing its anticodon with the mRNA codon.
• Ribosomal RNA (rRNA): A component of ribosomes, which are the molecular machines that facilitate the translation of mRNA into protein.

The sequence of RNA nucleotides, which includes adenine (A), cytosine (C), guanine (G), and uracil (U), determines the sequence of amino acids in the resulting protein. RNA sequences are produced during transcription, in which a DNA strand serves as a template to produce a complementary RNA strand.