Fehérjeépítés

Fehérjeépítés, also known as protein synthesis, is the fundamental biological process by which cells create new proteins. This process is essential for life, as proteins perform a vast array of functions within organisms, including catalyzing metabolic reactions, replicating DNA, responding to stimuli, and transporting molecules.

The process of protein synthesis occurs in two main stages: transcription and translation. Transcription takes place in the nucleus of eukaryotic cells and involves the creation of a messenger RNA (mRNA) molecule from a DNA template. This mRNA molecule carries the genetic code, which is a sequence of nucleotides, from the DNA to the ribosomes.

Translation occurs in the cytoplasm at the ribosomes, which are molecular machines responsible for protein assembly. Here, the mRNA sequence is read in codons, which are three-nucleotide units. Each codon specifies a particular amino acid, the building blocks of proteins. Transfer RNA (tRNA) molecules, each carrying a specific amino acid, bind to the mRNA codons, ensuring the correct amino acid is added to the growing polypeptide chain.

The ribosome moves along the mRNA, catalyzing the formation of peptide bonds between successive amino acids. This continues until a stop codon is reached, signaling the end of translation. The newly synthesized polypeptide chain then folds into a specific three-dimensional structure, which determines its function. This intricate process ensures that cells can produce the diverse range of proteins required for their survival and the functioning of the entire organism.