From gene to protein: how a cell builds anything
Process map by Brian. 25 steps, 2 layers. Tags: science, biology, genetics.
- The nucleus: A signal says: make this protein
- RNA polymerase: RNA polymerase copies the gene into mRNA
- mRNA (the message): Cap and tail added, junk sections (introns) cut out
- mRNA (the message): Is the message clean?
- mRNA (the message): mRNA slips out through a nuclear pore
- The ribosome: Ribosome clamps on at the start codon
- The ribosome: Reads the message three letters at a time
- Folding and shipping: The chain folds into its 3D shape
- Folding and shipping: Folded correctly?
- Folding and shipping: Shipped to wherever it is needed
- Folding and shipping: A working protein: an enzyme, a muscle fiber, a hormone
- Folding and shipping: Chaperone proteins help it refold
- mRNA (the message): Quality control destroys the faulty message