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Quiz yourself on Protein Synthesis — Transcription and TranslationGet your flashcardsBuild my revision planTrack my progress🎯 Exam Focus: OCR A Biology A (J247), Higher Tier
Board note: This topic is written for OCR A Biology A (J247). It is a Higher tier topic for Biology (separate science). OCR B Biology B (J257) also includes protein synthesis. Check your own specification and past papers for how it is assessed.
Question types to expect
| Question type | Typical focus |
|---|---|
| Short answer | "State the location of transcription", "What is a codon?" |
| Describe or explain | "Describe how a substitution mutation affects the protein", "Explain why a deletion is more harmful than a substitution" |
| Extended response | "Describe the process of protein synthesis". This needs a continuous, well-linked account from DNA to protein. |
How to structure an extended answer on protein synthesis
Extended answers reward sequence, accuracy, and links between the stages. Move logically through all stages:
- Start with the gene: A gene is a section of DNA that codes for a protein.
- Transcription: RNA polymerase unwinds the DNA double helix in the nucleus; free RNA nucleotides pair with the template strand (A with U, T with A, G with C, C with G) and are joined to form mRNA.
- mRNA leaves the nucleus: The mRNA passes through nuclear pores into the cytoplasm and attaches to a ribosome.
- Translation begins: The ribosome reads the mRNA in groups of three bases (codons); each codon codes for one amino acid.
- tRNA role: tRNA molecules with complementary anticodons bring specific amino acids to the ribosome.
- Polypeptide assembly: Peptide bonds join the amino acids; the tRNA detaches and is reused; the ribosome moves along the mRNA to the next codon.
- Finish: A stop codon ends translation; the polypeptide is released and folds into its specific three-dimensional shape.
A weaker answer names some stages in isolation. A stronger answer puts the stages in order. The strongest answer links each stage to the next, for example linking the mRNA codon to the tRNA anticodon to the specific amino acid delivered.
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