Question

Which element is used in the synthesis of proteins?

Answer 1

Proteins are known to be one of the most important biomolecules that plays many important roles in organisms such as metabolization of important reactions, transportation of molecules, responding to certain stimuli, etc.

Complete answer:
Proteins are made up of amino acids that are joined together by peptide bonds. The information that species which amino acids must be joined together comes from the gene sequence that encodes the particular protein. The genetic code which is a set of three nucleotide sequences specifies the type of amino acid which will be assembled into the protein.

The steps of protein synthesis are as follows- the DNA containing the gene sequence is converted into pre-messenger RNA (mRNA) by RNA polymerase through the process of transcription. This mRNA may then undergo certain modifications to finally form the mature mRNA which is then used as a template for protein synthesis where the ribosome binds and carries out translation. The mRNA is loaded onto the ribosome following which the codons are matched with anticodons of a tRNA molecule which in turn is charge with the specific amino acid.

In this way one after another amino acid is added and bonded by peptide linkages finally leading to protein synthesis. In prokaryotes transcription and translation are associated events so both of them occur in the nucleus of the cell whereas in eukaryotes they are not associated, transcription occurs in the nucleus of the cell whereas translation occurs in the cytoplasm.

Note: Protein synthesis is an essential process occurring in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes as the proteins help in carrying out many important functions. Any mutation in the gene level leads to formation of non-functional proteins which may lead to severe diseases.