AP Biology Chapter 17 Notes Campbell/Reece
AP Biology Chapter 17 (17.3 and 17.4) 17.3 Eukaryotic cells modify RNA after transcription RNA Processing: in the nucleus ? before it is sent out to the cytoplasm. both ends of the primary transcript are altered certain interior sections are cut out A. Alternation of mRNA Ends (Figure 17.9) Both ends of the mRNA are modified in a particular way 5prime end ? 5prime cap made of modified form of a Guanine nucleotide 3prime end ? poly A tail - 50 to 250 Adenine (A) nucleotides are added. Remember, the mRNA is released soon after the signal AAUAAA is transcribed. So even more A is added on after that. Functions of 5prime cap and poly A tail: facilitate export of the mature mRNA from the nucleus protect the mRNA from degradation by hydrolytic enzymes.