[05] Genetic Control of Protein Synthesis and Function Flashcards
What is the genetic control of protein synthesis and function?
The process by which the information in genes is used to produce proteins, which then carry out various functions in the body.
What are the two main steps in protein synthesis?
- Transcription
- Translation
What happens during “transcription” in protein synthesis?
The DNA sequence of a gene is copied into RNA.
What happens during “translation” in protein synthesis?
The RNA sequence is used to assemble a chain of amino acids, forming a protein.
Where does transcription occur in human cells?
In the nucleus
Where does translation occur in human cells?
In the cytoplasm
What is a “gene” in the context of protein synthesis?
A segment of DNA that contains the instructions for making a protein.
What is “DNA” in the context of protein synthesis?
The molecule that carries the genetic instructions for development, functioning, growth, and reproduction of all known organisms.
What is “RNA” in the context of protein synthesis?
A molecule similar to DNA, involved in protein synthesis and sometimes in the transmission of genetic information.
What are the three types of RNA involved in protein synthesis?
- Messenger RNA (mRNA)
- Transfer RNA (tRNA)
- Ribosomal RNA (rRNA)
What is the function of “mRNA” in protein synthesis?
It carries the genetic information copied from DNA in the form of a series of three-base code “words,” each of which specifies a particular amino acid.
What is the function of “tRNA” in protein synthesis?
It matches specific amino acids with the corresponding mRNA codons during translation.
What is the function of “rRNA” in protein synthesis?
It, along with proteins, makes up the ribosomes - the cell’s protein factories.
What is a “codon” in the context of protein synthesis?
A sequence of three nucleotides in mRNA that specifies a particular amino acid or a stop signal in protein synthesis.
How is protein function controlled genetically?
By determining the sequence of amino acids in the protein, which determines its structure and function.
