D2.2 HL only Flashcards
polypeptide
a chain of amino acids linked together by peptide bonds
Gene expression
the process by which the information encoded in a gene is turned into a function. This mostly occurs via the transcription of RNA molecules.
Transcription
the process by which a cell makes an RNA copy of a piece of DNA.
Translation
process oftranslatingthe sequence of a messenger RNA (mRNA) molecule to a sequence of amino acids during protein synthesis
alleles
different versions of a gene that occur at the same location on a chromosome
genotype
the genetic makeup of an organism, or the combination of alleles that an organism has
phenotype
an organism’s observable characteristics, such as its appearance, behavior, and development
Promoter region
a region of DNA upstream of a gene where relevant proteins (such as RNA polymerase and transcription factors) bind to initiate transcription of that gene
upstream
the direction of a process or the position of a genetic sequence towards the 5’ end of a molecule
coding region
a DNA or RNA sequence that codes for a protein
Transcription factors
proteins that regulate gene expression by binding to DNA
Enhancer region
a DNA segment that controls the transcription of nearby genes
activator proteins
proteins that increase the transcription of genes
Repressor region
a DNA sequence where a repressor protein binds to prevent gene transcription
repressor protein
a protein that reduces or turns off gene expression
mRNA degradation
a cellular process that breaks down mRNAs that are no longer needed or have been damaged
Exonucleases
an enzyme that breaks down nucleic acids by removing nucleotides from the ends of DNA or RNA
5’ cap
a modified nucleotide at the beginning of eukaryotic messenger RNA (mRNA)
poly A tail
a chain of adenine nucleotides added to the 3’ end of messenger RNA (mRNA)
Decapping complex
a protein complex that removes the 5’ cap from messenger RNA (mRNA) in eukaryotic cells
Deadenylase complex
process of shortening of the 3′ poly(A) tail of an RNA molecule
genome
the complete set of DNA in an organism
Ectoderm
the outermost layer of cells in an embryo that develops into the skin, nervous system, and sense organs
Mesoderm
the middle layer of cells in an embryo that develops into many tissues and organs