Cell Structure and Function - Gene to Protein Flashcards
What is a genotype?
An organisms hereditary information
What is a phenotype?
The observable or physiological traits of an organism
What is gene expression?
The process of going from DNA to a functional products (typically a protein)
What is DNA?
is the heritable material that is used to store and transmit information from generation to generation
What is RNA?
acts as a messenger to allow the information stored in the DNA to be used to make proteins
What is messenger RNA (mRNA)?
is a single-stranded RNA molecule that is complementary to one of the DNA strands of a gene
What is transfer RNA (tRNA)?
carry amino acids to the ribosome. They act as “bridges,” matching a codon in an mRNA with the amino acid it codes for. It’s the physical link between the mRNA and the amino acid sequence of proteins
What do proteins do?
Carry out cellular functions
What are the three stages of gene expression?
Transcription, processing and translation
Where does transcription occur?
In the nucleus
Where does processing occur?
In the nucleus
Where does translation occur?
In the cytoplasm
Why is gene expression regulated at transcription?
Transcription factors need to correctly assemble and DNA needs to be accessible
What is the gene expression regulation at RNA processing?
Capping, extending of polyadenylation (i.e tailing) alternate splicing, producing an mRNA able to be translated
What is the gene expression regulation at translation?
regulatory proteins can block translation, variable mRNA life-spans
Why is controlling gene expression important?
Because it needs to achieve the right thing at the right time (temporal and spatial control)
What are housekeeping proteins?
Proteins continuously produced by DNA
Main features of housekeeping proteins?
Are the more commonly used proteins
Protein and mRNA are present in large quantities (e.g. tubulin)
Typically have long half life in cells
What causes the production of other proteins?
Cell signalling
Features of proteins produced by cell signalling as a response to stimuli?
They are short lived and carry out their required function
What is the 5’ end of DNA?
This is the beginning of the chain and the phosphate group of the first nucleotide sticks out
What is the 3’ end of DNA?
This is the end of the chain where the 3’ hydroxyl of the last nucleotide is exposed