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Jan 1, 2026
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RNA and Protein Synthesis Study Notes
Maithy Smith
@maithysmith
1 / 3
DNA vs RNA: The Cellular Twins with Different Jobs
Think of DNA and RNA as twins who look similar but have totally different personalities. Both are made of the same basic parts: a five-carbon sugar, a phosphate group, and nitrogenous bases. But their differences make all the difference in how cells work.
RNA uses ribose sugar (which has an extra oxygen), contains the base uracil instead of thymine, and exists as a single strand. DNA uses deoxyribose sugar (missing that oxygen), has thymine as a base, and forms the famous double helix structure.
Here's why this matters: your DNA is locked away in the nucleus like a master recipe book, but the ribosomes that build proteins are out in the cytoplasm. RNA acts like a delivery service, carrying the genetic instructions from DNA to where they're needed.
Quick Tip: Remember RNA has "ribose" and "uracil" - both have extra letters compared to DNA's "deoxyribose" and "thymine"!
There are three types of RNA working as a team: messenger RNA (mRNA) copies instructions from DNA, transfer RNA (tRNA) brings the right amino acids to build proteins, and ribosomal RNA (rRNA) helps make up the protein-building factories called ribosomes.
Transcription: Copying DNA's Instructions
Transcription is like making a photocopy of your homework so you can work on it somewhere else. This process happens in the nucleus where an enzyme called RNA polymerase unzips the DNA strands and builds a matching mRNA copy.
The copying process follows base-pairing rules, but with a twist - wherever DNA has an A, mRNA gets a U (uracil). So DNA sequence AATTGGCAC becomes mRNA sequence UUAACCGUG. Once the mRNA copy is complete, it leaves the nucleus and heads to the ribosomes for the next step.
Translation is where the real magic happens - this is when amino acids get linked together to form actual proteins. The ribosome reads the mRNA message three bases at a time, and each group of three bases (called a codon) tells the cell which amino acid to add next.
Remember This: Every protein starts with the same start codon - AUG - which codes for the amino acid methionine!
Transfer RNA molecules act like delivery trucks, each carrying a specific amino acid and having an anticodon that matches up with the mRNA codon. When tRNA finds its matching codon, it drops off its amino acid and the ribosome connects it to the growing protein chain using peptide bonds.
Putting It All Together: From Code to Protein
Now you can decode the genetic message yourself! Using a codon chart, you can figure out which amino acids correspond to different three-letter codes. For example, ACU codes for threonine (THR), while CGA codes for arginine (ARG).
Let's trace the complete journey from DNA to protein. Starting with DNA sequence ATATTTGCCGAA, we first make the mRNA copy: UAU-AAA-CGG-CUU. Then we use the codon chart to find the amino acid sequence: Tyrosine-Phenylalanine-Alanine-Glutamate.
The process continues until the ribosome hits a stop codon (UGA, UAG, or UAA), which signals that the protein is complete. It's like reaching a period at the end of a sentence - the cellular machinery knows to stop adding amino acids.
Pro Tip: There are three stop codons but only one start codon (AUG) - this ensures every protein begins at the right place!
This entire system of transcription and translation happens thousands of times every second in your cells. From the DNA in your nucleus to the finished proteins working throughout your body, this molecular assembly line keeps you functioning perfectly without you even thinking about it!
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Our AI companion is specifically built for the needs of students. Based on the millions of content pieces we have on the platform we can provide truly meaningful and relevant answers to students. But its not only about answers, the companion is even more about guiding students through their daily learning challenges, with personalised study plans, quizzes or content pieces in the chat and 100% personalisation based on the students skills and developments.
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You can download the app in the Google Play Store and in the Apple App Store.
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The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
I think it’s very much worth it and you’ll end up using it a lot once you get the hang of it and even after looking at others notes you can still ask your Artificial intelligence buddy the question and ask to simplify it if you still don’t get it!!! In the end I think it’s worth it 😊👍 ⚠️Also DID I MENTION ITS FREEE YOU DON’T HAVE TO PAY FOR ANYTHING AND STILL GET YOUR GRADES IN PERFECTLY❗️❗️⚠️
Thomas R
iOS user
Knowunity is the BEST app I’ve used in a minute. This is not an ai review or anything this is genuinely coming from a 7th grade student (I know 2011 im young) but dude this app is a 10/10 i have maintained a 3.8 gpa and have plenty of time for gaming. I love it and my mom is just happy I got good grades
Brad T
Android user
Not only did it help me find the answer but it also showed me alternative ways to solve it. I was horrible in math and science but now I have an a in both subjects. Thanks for the help🤍🤍
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
I found this app a couple years ago and it has only gotten better since then. I really love it because it can help with written questions and photo questions. Also, it can find study guides that other people have made as well as flashcard sets and practice tests. The free version is also amazing for students who might not be able to afford it. Would 100% recommend
Aubrey
iOS user
Best app if you're in Highschool or Junior high. I have been using this app for 2 school years and it's the best, it's good if you don't have anyone to help you with school work.😋🩷🎀
Marco B
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This app is phenomenal down to the correct info and the various topics you can study! I greatly recommend it for people who struggle with procrastination and those who need homework help. It has been perfectly accurate for world 1 history as far as I’ve seen! Geometry too!
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
I think it’s very much worth it and you’ll end up using it a lot once you get the hang of it and even after looking at others notes you can still ask your Artificial intelligence buddy the question and ask to simplify it if you still don’t get it!!! In the end I think it’s worth it 😊👍 ⚠️Also DID I MENTION ITS FREEE YOU DON’T HAVE TO PAY FOR ANYTHING AND STILL GET YOUR GRADES IN PERFECTLY❗️❗️⚠️
Thomas R
iOS user
Knowunity is the BEST app I’ve used in a minute. This is not an ai review or anything this is genuinely coming from a 7th grade student (I know 2011 im young) but dude this app is a 10/10 i have maintained a 3.8 gpa and have plenty of time for gaming. I love it and my mom is just happy I got good grades
Brad T
Android user
Not only did it help me find the answer but it also showed me alternative ways to solve it. I was horrible in math and science but now I have an a in both subjects. Thanks for the help🤍🤍
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
I found this app a couple years ago and it has only gotten better since then. I really love it because it can help with written questions and photo questions. Also, it can find study guides that other people have made as well as flashcard sets and practice tests. The free version is also amazing for students who might not be able to afford it. Would 100% recommend
Aubrey
iOS user
Best app if you're in Highschool or Junior high. I have been using this app for 2 school years and it's the best, it's good if you don't have anyone to help you with school work.😋🩷🎀
Marco B
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This app is phenomenal down to the correct info and the various topics you can study! I greatly recommend it for people who struggle with procrastination and those who need homework help. It has been perfectly accurate for world 1 history as far as I’ve seen! Geometry too!
Paul T
iOS user
RNA and Protein Synthesis Study Notes
Maithy Smith
@maithysmith
Ever wonder how your body knows exactly how to build the proteins it needs? It all starts with DNA's secret code getting delivered through a amazing messenger system called RNA. Let's break down this cellular communication network that keeps you... Show more
DNA vs RNA: The Cellular Twins with Different Jobs
Think of DNA and RNA as twins who look similar but have totally different personalities. Both are made of the same basic parts: a five-carbon sugar, a phosphate group, and nitrogenous bases. But their differences make all the difference in how cells work.
RNA uses ribose sugar (which has an extra oxygen), contains the base uracil instead of thymine, and exists as a single strand. DNA uses deoxyribose sugar (missing that oxygen), has thymine as a base, and forms the famous double helix structure.
Here's why this matters: your DNA is locked away in the nucleus like a master recipe book, but the ribosomes that build proteins are out in the cytoplasm. RNA acts like a delivery service, carrying the genetic instructions from DNA to where they're needed.
Quick Tip: Remember RNA has "ribose" and "uracil" - both have extra letters compared to DNA's "deoxyribose" and "thymine"!
There are three types of RNA working as a team: messenger RNA (mRNA) copies instructions from DNA, transfer RNA (tRNA) brings the right amino acids to build proteins, and ribosomal RNA (rRNA) helps make up the protein-building factories called ribosomes.
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Transcription: Copying DNA's Instructions
Transcription is like making a photocopy of your homework so you can work on it somewhere else. This process happens in the nucleus where an enzyme called RNA polymerase unzips the DNA strands and builds a matching mRNA copy.
The copying process follows base-pairing rules, but with a twist - wherever DNA has an A, mRNA gets a U (uracil). So DNA sequence AATTGGCAC becomes mRNA sequence UUAACCGUG. Once the mRNA copy is complete, it leaves the nucleus and heads to the ribosomes for the next step.
Translation is where the real magic happens - this is when amino acids get linked together to form actual proteins. The ribosome reads the mRNA message three bases at a time, and each group of three bases (called a codon) tells the cell which amino acid to add next.
Remember This: Every protein starts with the same start codon - AUG - which codes for the amino acid methionine!
Transfer RNA molecules act like delivery trucks, each carrying a specific amino acid and having an anticodon that matches up with the mRNA codon. When tRNA finds its matching codon, it drops off its amino acid and the ribosome connects it to the growing protein chain using peptide bonds.
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Improve your grades
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Putting It All Together: From Code to Protein
Now you can decode the genetic message yourself! Using a codon chart, you can figure out which amino acids correspond to different three-letter codes. For example, ACU codes for threonine (THR), while CGA codes for arginine (ARG).
Let's trace the complete journey from DNA to protein. Starting with DNA sequence ATATTTGCCGAA, we first make the mRNA copy: UAU-AAA-CGG-CUU. Then we use the codon chart to find the amino acid sequence: Tyrosine-Phenylalanine-Alanine-Glutamate.
The process continues until the ribosome hits a stop codon (UGA, UAG, or UAA), which signals that the protein is complete. It's like reaching a period at the end of a sentence - the cellular machinery knows to stop adding amino acids.
Pro Tip: There are three stop codons but only one start codon (AUG) - this ensures every protein begins at the right place!
This entire system of transcription and translation happens thousands of times every second in your cells. From the DNA in your nucleus to the finished proteins working throughout your body, this molecular assembly line keeps you functioning perfectly without you even thinking about it!
We thought you’d never ask...
What is the Knowunity AI companion?
Our AI companion is specifically built for the needs of students. Based on the millions of content pieces we have on the platform we can provide truly meaningful and relevant answers to students. But its not only about answers, the companion is even more about guiding students through their daily learning challenges, with personalised study plans, quizzes or content pieces in the chat and 100% personalisation based on the students skills and developments.
Where can I download the Knowunity app?
You can download the app in the Google Play Store and in the Apple App Store.
Is Knowunity really free of charge?
That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.
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Can't find what you're looking for? Explore other subjects.
Students love us — and so will you.
4.9/5
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4.8/5
Google Play
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
I think it’s very much worth it and you’ll end up using it a lot once you get the hang of it and even after looking at others notes you can still ask your Artificial intelligence buddy the question and ask to simplify it if you still don’t get it!!! In the end I think it’s worth it 😊👍 ⚠️Also DID I MENTION ITS FREEE YOU DON’T HAVE TO PAY FOR ANYTHING AND STILL GET YOUR GRADES IN PERFECTLY❗️❗️⚠️
Thomas R
iOS user
Knowunity is the BEST app I’ve used in a minute. This is not an ai review or anything this is genuinely coming from a 7th grade student (I know 2011 im young) but dude this app is a 10/10 i have maintained a 3.8 gpa and have plenty of time for gaming. I love it and my mom is just happy I got good grades
Brad T
Android user
Not only did it help me find the answer but it also showed me alternative ways to solve it. I was horrible in math and science but now I have an a in both subjects. Thanks for the help🤍🤍
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
I found this app a couple years ago and it has only gotten better since then. I really love it because it can help with written questions and photo questions. Also, it can find study guides that other people have made as well as flashcard sets and practice tests. The free version is also amazing for students who might not be able to afford it. Would 100% recommend
Aubrey
iOS user
Best app if you're in Highschool or Junior high. I have been using this app for 2 school years and it's the best, it's good if you don't have anyone to help you with school work.😋🩷🎀
Marco B
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This app is phenomenal down to the correct info and the various topics you can study! I greatly recommend it for people who struggle with procrastination and those who need homework help. It has been perfectly accurate for world 1 history as far as I’ve seen! Geometry too!
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
I think it’s very much worth it and you’ll end up using it a lot once you get the hang of it and even after looking at others notes you can still ask your Artificial intelligence buddy the question and ask to simplify it if you still don’t get it!!! In the end I think it’s worth it 😊👍 ⚠️Also DID I MENTION ITS FREEE YOU DON’T HAVE TO PAY FOR ANYTHING AND STILL GET YOUR GRADES IN PERFECTLY❗️❗️⚠️
Thomas R
iOS user
Knowunity is the BEST app I’ve used in a minute. This is not an ai review or anything this is genuinely coming from a 7th grade student (I know 2011 im young) but dude this app is a 10/10 i have maintained a 3.8 gpa and have plenty of time for gaming. I love it and my mom is just happy I got good grades
Brad T
Android user
Not only did it help me find the answer but it also showed me alternative ways to solve it. I was horrible in math and science but now I have an a in both subjects. Thanks for the help🤍🤍
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
I found this app a couple years ago and it has only gotten better since then. I really love it because it can help with written questions and photo questions. Also, it can find study guides that other people have made as well as flashcard sets and practice tests. The free version is also amazing for students who might not be able to afford it. Would 100% recommend
Aubrey
iOS user
Best app if you're in Highschool or Junior high. I have been using this app for 2 school years and it's the best, it's good if you don't have anyone to help you with school work.😋🩷🎀
Marco B
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This app is phenomenal down to the correct info and the various topics you can study! I greatly recommend it for people who struggle with procrastination and those who need homework help. It has been perfectly accurate for world 1 history as far as I’ve seen! Geometry too!
Paul T
iOS user