Page 31 - The Cell and Its Components
P. 31
Structure of a protein
Why are they important?
Proteins are essential for life. Around 20% of our body is
made up of proteins. Every cell in our body uses proteins
to perform functions.
How are they made?
Proteins are made inside cells. When a cell makes a
protein it is called protein synthesis. The instructions for
how to make a protein are held in DNA molecules inside
the cell nucleus. The two major stages in making a
protein are called transcription and translation.
Transcription
The first step in making a protein is called transcription.
This is when the cell makes a copy (or "transcript") of the
DNA. The copy of DNA is called RNA because it uses a
different type of nucleic acid called ribonucleic acid. The
RNA is used in the next step, which is called translation.
Translation
The next step in making a protein is called translation.
This is when the RNA is converted (or "translated") into a
