Ch. 14 - RNA and Protein Synthesis

Question 1

RNA

Answer 1

• single-stranded nucleic acid that contains the sugar ribose

Question 2

messenger RNA

Answer 2

• type of RNA that carries copies of instructions for the assembly of amino acids into proteins from DNA to the rest of the cell

Question 3

ribosomal RNA

Answer 3

• type of RNA that combines with proteins to form ribosomes

Question 4

transfer RNA

Answer 4

• type of RNA that carries each amino acid to a ribosome during protein synthesis

Question 5

transcription

Answer 5

• synthesis of an RNA molecule from a DNA template

Question 6

RNA polymerase

Answer 6

• enzyme that links together the growing chain of RNA molecules during the transcription using a DNA strand as a template

Question 7

promoter

Answer 7

• specific region of a gene where RNA polymerase can bind and begin transcription

Question 8

intron

Answer 8

• sequence of DNA that is not involved in coding for a protein

Question 9

exon

Answer 9

• expressed sequence of DNA; codes for a protein

Question 10

polypeptide

Answer 10

• long chain of amino acids that makes proteins

Question 11

genetic code

Answer 11

• collection of codons of mRNA, each of which directs the incorporation of a particular amino acid onto a protein during protein synthesis

Question 12

codon

Answer 12

• group for three nucleotide bases on mRNA that specify a particular amino acid to be incorporated onto a protein

Question 13

translation

Answer 13

• process by which the sequence of bases of a mRNA is converted into the sequence of amino acids of a protein

Question 14

anticodon

Answer 14

• group of three bases on a tRNA molecule that are complementary to the three bases of a codon of mRNA

Question 15

operon

Answer 15

• in prokaryotes, a group of adjacent genes that shares a common operator and promoter and are transcribed into a single mRNA

Question 16

operator

Answer 16

• 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

Question 17

differentiation

Answer 17

• process on which cells become specialized in structure and function

Question 18

homeotic gene

Answer 18

• 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

Question 19

homeobox gene

Answer 19

• genes that code for transcription factors that activate other genes that are important in cell development and differentiation

Question 20

Hox gene

Answer 20

• 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.

Question 21

mutation

Answer 21

• change in the genetic form of a cell

Question 22

point mutation

Answer 22

• gene mutation in which a single base pair on DNA has been changed

Question 23

frameshift mutation

Answer 23

• mutation that shifts the “reading frame” of the genetic message by inserting or deleting a nucleotide

Question 24

mutagen

Answer 24

• chemical of physical agents in the environment that interact with DNA and may cause a mutation

Question 25

polyploidy

Answer 25

• condition in which an organism has extra sets of chromosomes