Protein Synthesis
Protein synthesis uses the genetic code in DNA to build proteins by assembling amino acids in a specific order.
▶ Interact
Play with the controls to see the idea in action.
📘 Learn
Protein synthesis uses the genetic code in DNA to build proteins by assembling amino acids in a specific order.
- Each triplet of bases codes for an amino acid
- mRNA copies the code
- Ribosomes build the protein
🧠 Quick quiz
Three questions. Score 2 or more to complete the topic.
What is Protein Synthesis?
Within Biology, which covers cells, the human body, genetics, evolution, plants and ecosystems: the science of living things, this topic explains Protein Synthesis. Biology topics show how living things work, from the cell up to whole ecosystems, with models you can explore step by step.
Check that you can explain Protein Synthesis in your own words and give one example from everyday life. If you can do that, you have understood the core idea.
Understanding Protein Synthesis helps you explain how living things stay alive and respond to their surroundings, which is central to biology exams.
Protein Synthesis in detail
Protein synthesis is the process by which cells make proteins from the instructions in DNA. In transcription, the DNA code for a gene is copied into messenger RNA (mRNA) in the nucleus. The mRNA moves out of the nucleus to a ribosome in the cytoplasm.
In translation, the ribosome reads the mRNA in groups of three bases (codons), and transfer RNA brings the matching amino acids, which are joined in order to build the protein. The sequence of amino acids determines the shape and function of the protein. Changes in the DNA sequence can alter the protein.
How the interactive helps you understand Protein Synthesis
Click a step, or use the Previous and Next buttons, to move through the sequence one stage at a time. Auto-play moves on for you.
Before you change anything, predict the result. Then change one value at a time and check whether your prediction was right. This is a quick way to build a correct mental model of Protein Synthesis.
Real-life uses and examples
- Use Protein Synthesis to interpret a diagram, graph or microscope image from a practical.
- Structure a longer answer about Protein Synthesis by moving from definition to example to consequence.
- Explain how Protein Synthesis helps a living thing stay alive, using a plant or animal example.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Using everyday words, such as “energy” or “bad”, without their scientific meaning.
- Listing the steps of a process without saying how one step causes the next.
- Learning the definition without testing it. Use the quiz and the interactive to check that you can apply the idea.
Frequently asked questions about Protein Synthesis
What is Protein Synthesis?
Protein synthesis uses the genetic code in DNA to build proteins by assembling amino acids in a specific order.
What are the most important points about Protein Synthesis?
The main points are: Each triplet of bases codes for an amino acid; mRNA copies the code; Ribosomes build the protein.
Why is Protein Synthesis useful?
Understanding Protein Synthesis helps you explain how living things stay alive and respond to their surroundings, which is central to biology exams.
How can I practise Protein Synthesis?
Open the interactive at the top of this page and change the controls one at a time. Predict the result before each change, then take the three-question quiz. A score of two or more marks the topic as complete on this device.
Which topics are related to Protein Synthesis?
Related topics in Biology include Inherited Disorders, Mutations, Fossils and Evidence for Evolution.