Amino acid: any of a class of 20 molecules that combine to form proteins in living creatures. Base Twins: the twin, nitrogen-rich molecules that are held together by weak chemical bonds. Twin strands of DNA are held together in the shape of a double helix by the bonds between their base twins and sugar-phosphate twins….
What proteins are metabolized where: read more …
Dietary proteins are broken down into amino acids in the stomach & intestines: 1/3 is absorbed into the blood stream in the form of amino acids and 2/3 in the form of small peptides (peptide bonded amino acids). About 1/4 of the amino acids released during protein breakdown are fully degraded. Thus, 3/4 are transported…
When the cell requires more RNA, it pulls up the necessary information in the DNA and gets to work. This process is known as “transcription,” referencing the fact that the information is basically copied from one molecule to another. Some very sneaky viruses, like HIV, are capable of reverse transcription, which means that they can…
Role of mRNA in protein synthesis: Represents the sequence of codons (mRNA language) from the DNA strand for transcription. Brings the sequence to the ribosomes (site of protein synthesis) in the cytoplasm, because it is small enough to leave the nucleus, for translation. Provides the sequence for the synthesis of specific proteins from the amino…
mRNA is called messenger RNA because it carries, like a mailman, information for protein synthesis from the DNA out of the nucleus to the cell organelles called ribosomes in the cytoplasm (the site of protein synthesis). From here: mRNA directs the assembly of amino acids through peptide bonds, that then fold into a 3D completed…
When writing a letter, you select from 26 different letters of the alphabet, and you can then say anything you want. It is critical that the letters go in the right sequence, and spaces and sentence stops are used. When our body makes new cells, it is placing the different letters of the DNA “alphabet”…
Steps involved in manufacturing a protein: DNA is transcribed into messenger RNA (mRNA). This mRNA is translated into: proteins by ribosomes and transfer RNA (tRNA) molecules outside the cell nucleus, in the cytoplasm: read more …
Amino acids make up 75% of the human body. They are essential to nearly every bodily function. Every chemical reaction that takes place in our body depends on amino acids and the proteins that they build. The human body simply does not store amino acids for later use, as it does with fats and starches….
Amino acids always contain carbon, oxygen, nitrogen and occasionally phosphorus, sulfur, zinc, copper and iron. The nitrogen content distinguishes protein from fat and carbohydrate. The nitrogen is responsible for the unique physiological function of a protein. Amino acids can be joined together in chains of: < 50 amino acids, called peptides, 50-100 amino acids, called…
An amino acid is a small molecule with an amine group (NH2) at one end and a carboxylic acid (COOH) group at the other end. The peptide bonds formed between these groups create chains, or polymers, of amino acids. A peptide bond is a covalent bond that is formed between two molecules when the carboxyl…
The genetic code is the set of rules by which information encoded in genetic material (DNA or mRNA) is decoded into proteins (sequences of amino acids) by living cells. Proteins make the cell able to function, by telling the builder proteins how to create it. Proteins are integral and essential food components for all living…
