mRNA is different than DNA in many ways. For example, mRNA is a single sided strand where DNA is double strand. Also, mRNA is much smaller in size than DNA since it has to be small enough to move in and out of the nucleus. By being able to move around, the DNA can stay in the nucleus while the mRNA copies the DNA and carries it to the ribosomes in order to carry out transcription.
The process of transcription can be broken into 3 phases; unwinding and unzipping of DNA, complementary base pairing with DNA, and separation from DNA. In the unwinding and unzipping of DNA, RNA polymerase untwists the DNA alpha helix shape. Then, the mRNA nucleotides are paired up with the complementary nucleotides from the DNA strand. Finally, once the mRNA has copied the DNA, it leaves the nucleus as the DNA returns to its original form without any harm done to it.
By modelling this, it was easy to see the first two steps of transcription without any problem. It was clear what was happening and the role of the RNA polymerase. However, it was difficult to model how the mRNA copies the DNA and then leaves the nucleus. It also was an inaccurate representation of the size difference between mRNA and DNA.
One thought on “DNA and Protein Synthesis Part 3”
Everything looks spot on. You could have added more onto the unwinding and unzipping step, explains that each of the bonds have been broken. That aside, you didn’t miss anything.
Everything looks spot on. You could have added more onto the unwinding and unzipping step, explains that each of the bonds have been broken. That aside, you didn’t miss anything.