Chaper 17: From gene to protein Flashcards
DNA stores genetic information in its sequences. But how do cells use the information?
- DNA inherited by an organism leads to specific traits by dictating the synthesis of proteins.
- Proteins are the links between genotype and phenotype.
What is gene expression?
The process by which DNA directs protein synthesis, includes two stages: transcription and translation.
The central dogma
is the concept that cells are governed by a cellular chain of command: DNA-RNA-Protein
What are the steps required to produce proteins from genes?
RNA -Transcription -Primary transcript -mRNA Translation -Ribosomes
What is Transcription?
- The synthesis of RNA under the directions of DNA.
ex. writing a script for RNA from DNA.
What is a primary transcript?
The initial RNA transcript from any gene.
What does mRNA do?
Carries a genetic message from DNA to the protein-synthesizing machinery of the cell.
-produced by protein-coding genes
What is Translation?
synthesis of a polypeptide, which occurs under the direction of mRNA
How are Ribosomes in relation to Translation?
- They are the sites of translation.
- They are complex particles that facilitate the orderly linking of amino acids into polypeptide chains.
How are the instructions of assembling amino acids into proteins encoded into DNA?
There are 20 amino acids, but only four nucelotide bases in DNA.
How many bases on DNA correspond to an amino acid?
64
How does each codon specify an amino acid?
By triplet code.
What is a codon?
- A triplet
- a series of nonoverlapping, three nucleotide words.
ex) AGT on a DNA strand codes for the amino acid serine.
Template strand
The DNA strands that provides a template for making an RNA transcript.
How are codons read?
From 5’ to 3’
Are amino acids placed at the corresponding position along a polypeptide?
Each codon specifies the amino acid to be placed at the corresponding position along a polypeptide.
Molecular components of transcription
- RNA synthesis is catalyzed by RNA polymerase.
- Follows the same base-pairing rules as DNA except Uracil sub. for Thymine.
Where does transcription began?
The promoter
Where does it end?
The terminator
only in bacteria
Transcription Unit
The stretch of DNA that is transcribed
What is the process of RNA transcription?
- Initiation
- Elongation
- Termination
Initiation
- after RNA polymrase binds to the promoter, the DNA strands unwind.
- polymerase starts RNA synthesis at the strart point on the template strand