Module 2: Organelle Involvement in Protein Synthesis

These free OCR A Level Biology Organelle Involvement in Protein Synthesis revision notes have been written for specification point 2.1.1(i).

Protein Synthesis and Organelles

Protein synthesis assembles amino acids into a polypeptide chain, which is then folded and modified into a protein.

It consists of two phases, transcription and translation:

  • Transcription is when a gene is transcribed (copied) to produce mRNA (messenger RNA).
  • Translation is when ribosomes make a polypeptide (protein) chain by ‘reading’ the bases on mRNA to assemble amino acids in the correct order.

However, it takes many organelles working together to produce a fully functioning protein.

The order of organelles involved (usually) is:

Nucleolus → Nuclear Membrane → Ribosome → Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum → Vesicle → Golgi Apparatus → Secretory Vesicle → Cell Surface Membrane

Diagram of organelles doing protein synthesis - OCR A Level Biology revision

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.