Protein synthesis can be compared to building a doghouse. Sondra wanted to build a doghouse and found a book in the reference se
ction in the local library. She copied the pages of directions using wood and nails to make the doghouse. Taking the directions to her workbench, Sondra used a hammer to put nails into their correct positions in the wood to make the doghouse. In the story, what genetic structure would be analogous to the copies from the reference book?
mRNA or messenger RNA is synthesized during the process of transcription, from DNA molecule which is used as a template. mRNA contains information about protein synthesis (translation) in the form of nucleotide triplets or codons.
In the example above: reference book is DNA molecule (template for copies), copies are mRNA, wood is amino acids (building blocks) and doghouse is protein.
Meiosis only occurs in reproductive cells, as the goal is to create haploid gametes that will be used in fertilization. Meiosis is important to, but not the same as, sexual reproduction. Meiosis is necessary for sexual reproduction to occur, as it results in the formation of gametes sperm and eggs.
