How do you get from an a base like adenine to an enzyme/protein?

There are four bases- ATGC adenine, thymine guanine and cytosine.

Each base is attached to a deoxyribose sugar and a phosphate sugar. This makes up a nucleotide. Three nucleotides are called a codon which produces one amino acid.

Many amino acids joined together to give you polypeptide chain and thus a protein. The polypeptide has a primary structure as a chain.

It can be folded to give secondary structure by alpha helices and beta sheets.

They can further be folder to a tertiary structure which is what is involved in creating enzymes. Enzyme is therefore a protein made of  amino acid chains.

JJ
Answered by Joshny J. Biology tutor

2977 Views

See similar Biology A Level tutors

Related Biology A Level answers

All answers ▸

Describe the similarities and differences in structure between DNA and RNA


The Pacinian corpuscle senses changes in pressure in the skin. Explain how pressure causes the cell to change its membrane potential to elicit a nerve response.


Describe the process that allows an action potential to be passed across a synapse in the parasympathetic nervous system.


how does oxidative phosphorylation work in aerobic respiration


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning