Transcription Produces RNA

• Transcription is the first process required to synthesize proteins. DNA is too big and carries too many genes, so when one gene is needed, the necessary section of the DNA code is transcribed into a smaller chemical: RNA. This works like a recipe book. If you want to send a recipe to a friend, you send a copy of the page, not the whole book. RNA is a page out of the DNA recipe book.
  
  

RNA Function

• RNA is similar to DNA but carries the code for only one gene. Each RNA molecule has a chemical sequence that codes for a specific protein (gene). RNA transports the code to a cell structure called a ribosome. Ribosomes can be thought of as a kitchen and the RNA code is the recipe for a specific protein that the cell needs to make. Food is the source of the raw materials for the protein kitchen.
  
  

Proteins

• Proteins are large chemicals that start out as a chain of tiny chemicals called amino acids -- like beads on a necklace. Different proteins do almost everything inside the cell. They form structures for other chemicals to react with. They fight off infections, transport chemicals and act as messengers for communication. Proteins help to produce the sugars that make corn and peaches sweet. Proteins are made by the process of translation.
  
  

Translation: Chain Elongation

• Inside the ribosome protein kitchen is a structure that reads the chemical sequence of the RNA recipe to make the proteins. The amino acid beads on the protein chain are added one at a time according to the RNA recipe. The amino acid chain elongates until all of the RNA chemical sequence, or code, is read by the ribosome. The end product of translation is a long chain of amino acids called the protein primary structure.