8.2.8

Regulating Translation

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RNA Interference (RNAi)

Gene expression can be prevented in eukaryotes and some prokaryotes by preventing translation of mRNA. Translation can be inhibited by molecules called RNA interference (RNAi).

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Translation

  • Translation is a process involved in synthesising proteins using the genetic code.
    • After transcription, mRNA moves from the nucleus to the cytoplasm.
    • Translation reads the sequence of bases on mRNA and joins the corresponding amino acids together to produce a protein.
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RNAi

  • RNAi is a small molecule of double-stranded RNA.
    • RNAi interferes with mRNA by binding to the mRNA molecule and breaking it down.
    • Interfering with mRNA prevents it from being translated into protein.
    • RNAi influences gene expression in this way.
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siRNA

  • siRNA is a type of RNAi that is complementary to the mRNA sequence it inhibits.
    • siRNA targets a specific sequence of mRNA.
    • After siRNA has bound to mRNA, the mRNA is broken down into smaller fragments.
    • The fragments of mRNA are degraded.
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miRNA

  • miRNA is not fully complementary to the mRNA sequence.
    • miRNA can target multiple sequences of mRNA.
    • After miRNA has bound to mRNA, the mRNA is either degraded or stored for future use.

Jump to other topics

1Biological Molecules

2Cells

3Substance Exchange

4Genetic Information & Variation

5Energy Transfers (A2 only)

6Responding to Change (A2 only)

7Genetics & Ecosystems (A2 only)

8The Control of Gene Expression (A2 only)

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