2.3. Further reading[[Student version, December 8, 2002]] 59
Figure 2.33:(Drawing, based on structural data.) The information in messenger RNA is translated into a sequence
of amino acids making up a new protein by the combined action of over fifty molecular machines. In particular, amino
acyl-tRNA synthetases supply transfer RNAs loaded with amino acid residues to the ribosomes, which construct
the new protein as they read the messenger RNA. Not shown are some smaller auxiliary proteins, the “initiation,
elongation, and transcription factors,” that help the ribosomes do their job. [From (Goodsell, 1993).] [Copyrighted
figure; permission pending.]
the operation of the kinesin motor, the synthesis of ATP in mitochondria, and the transmission of
nerve impulses.
It should be clear that the complete answers to these questions will occupy whole shelves full
of books, at some future date when the complete answers are known! The purpose of this book is
not to give the complete answers, but rather to address the more elementary question: Faced with
all these miraculous processes, we only ask,“How could anything like that happen at all?” Here
indeed we will find that simple physical ideas do help.
Further reading
Semipopular:
Structure and function in cells: (Goodsell, 1993); (Hoagland & Dodson, 1995)
Intermediate:
General reference: (Lackie & Dow, 1999; Smithet al.,1997)
Texts: (Cooper, 2000; Albertset al.,1997; Karp, 2002; Pollard & Earnshaw, 2002)
Technical:
Texts: (Albertset al.,2002), (Lodishet al.,2000)
Proteins: (Branden & Tooze, 1999)