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Unraveling the |
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In this series:
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How Proteins Are MadeFor simplicity, we illustrate a protein made of 10 amino acids. Most proteins have more than 100
 
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Appeared in Awake! September 8, 1999 |
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A special protein zips open a section of the DNA strands
Free RNA bases link up with the exposed DNA bases on one strand only, thus forming a strand of messenger RNA
The newly made messenger RNA peels off and moves away to the ribosomes
A transfer RNA picks up an amino acid and brings it to the ribosome
As the ribosome sweeps across the messenger RNA, a chain of amino acids is linked together
As it is being formed, the protein chain begins to fold into the shape needed to function properly. Then the chain is released by the ribosome