Ch. 14 - RNA and Protein Synthesis Flashcards
1
Q
RNA
A
- single-stranded nucleic acid that contains the sugar ribose
2
Q
messenger RNA
A
- type of RNA that carries copies of instructions for the assembly of amino acids into proteins from DNA to the rest of the cell
3
Q
ribosomal RNA
A
- type of RNA that combines with proteins to form ribosomes
4
Q
transfer RNA
A
- type of RNA that carries each amino acid to a ribosome during protein synthesis
5
Q
transcription
A
- synthesis of an RNA molecule from a DNA template
6
Q
RNA polymerase
A
- enzyme that links together the growing chain of RNA molecules during the transcription using a DNA strand as a template
7
Q
promoter
A
- specific region of a gene where RNA polymerase can bind and begin transcription
8
Q
intron
A
- sequence of DNA that is not involved in coding for a protein
9
Q
exon
A
- expressed sequence of DNA; codes for a protein
10
Q
polypeptide
A
- long chain of amino acids that makes proteins
11
Q
genetic code
A
- collection of codons of mRNA, each of which directs the incorporation of a particular amino acid onto a protein during protein synthesis
12
Q
codon
A
- group for three nucleotide bases on mRNA that specify a particular amino acid to be incorporated onto a protein
13
Q
translation
A
- process by which the sequence of bases of a mRNA is converted into the sequence of amino acids of a protein
14
Q
anticodon
A
- group of three bases on a tRNA molecule that are complementary to the three bases of a codon of mRNA
15
Q
operon
A
- in prokaryotes, a group of adjacent genes that shares a common operator and promoter and are transcribed into a single mRNA
16
Q
operator
A
- short DNA region, adjacent to the promoter of a prokaryotic operon, that binds repressor proteins responsible for controlling the rate of transcription of the operon
17
Q
differentiation
A
- process on which cells become specialized in structure and function
18
Q
homeotic gene
A
- a class of regulatory genes that determine the identity of body parts and regions in an animal embryo. Mutations in these genes can transform one body part into another
19
Q
homeobox gene
A
- genes that code for transcription factors that activate other genes that are important in cell development and differentiation
20
Q
Hox gene
A
- a group of homeotic genes clustered together that determine the head to tail identity of body parts in animals. All Hox genes contain the homeobox DNA sequence.
21
Q
mutation
A
- change in the genetic form of a cell
22
Q
point mutation
A
- gene mutation in which a single base pair on DNA has been changed
23
Q
frameshift mutation
A
- mutation that shifts the “reading frame” of the genetic message by inserting or deleting a nucleotide
24
Q
mutagen
A
- chemical of physical agents in the environment that interact with DNA and may cause a mutation
25
Q
polyploidy
A
- condition in which an organism has extra sets of chromosomes
