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How are proteins built from amino acids?
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Biochemistry
In biochemistry, researchers study the chemical substances and processes that occur in living organisms and cells. In particular, various processes by which cells gain energy, such as epinephrine-stimulated cAMP synthesis, have been deduced through the study of biochemistry.
Proteins are built from amino acids through a process called translation, which occurs on ribosomes within the cell.12
The Process of Protein Synthesis
- Genetic Coding: The sequence of amino acids in a protein is determined by the genetic code. Information from DNA is copied into messenger RNA (mRNA), where sets of three nucleotides, known as codons, specify each amino acid.13
- Activation: Each amino acid is activated and attached to a specific transfer RNA (tRNA) molecule.4
- Assembly: The mRNA binds to a ribosome. As the ribosome reads the mRNA codons, tRNAs bring the corresponding amino acids into place.14
- Peptide Bonding: Ribosomal RNA catalyzes the formation of peptide bonds between adjacent amino acids, linking them into a polypeptide chain.52
- Folding: As the chain grows, the amino acids interact, causing the protein to fold into specific shapes, such as helices or sheets, to achieve its functional conformation.167