Just as a construction crew uses blueprints to build a house, a cell uses DNA as plans for building proteins. In addition to DNA, another nucleic acid, called RNA, is involved in making proteins. In the RNA and Protein Synthesis Gizmo, you will use both DNA and RNA to construct a protein out of amino acids.
- DNA is composed of the nitrogenous bases Adenine, Cytosine, Guanine, and Thymine. RNA is composed of Adenine, Cytosine, Guanine, and Uracil.
Look at the SIMULATION pane. Is the displayed segment a part of a DNA or RNA molecule? How do you know?
2. RNA polymerase is a type of enzyme. Enzymes help chemical processes occur quickly. Drag the yellow RNA polymerase molecule onto the DNA strand. Describe what happens.